What does the Glasgow Coma Scale measure?

The Glasgow Coma Scale is specifically designed to assess a patient's level of consciousness following a traumatic brain injury or other medical conditions affecting consciousness. It evaluates three key aspects: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Each category is scored, and the total score helps healthcare professionals determine the severity of a patient's condition and guide treatment decisions. This scale is essential in critical care settings and emergency medicine, providing a standardized way to communicate patient status and monitor changes over time.

The other choices do not relate directly to the purposes of the Glasgow Coma Scale. For instance, muscle strength assessment is conducted through different neurological examinations, respiratory rate is measured separately to evaluate pulmonary function, and body temperature is assessed to monitor for signs of infection or other systemic issues. Each of these parameters is vital in patient assessment, but they are evaluated using distinct methods and scales, separate from the Glasgow Coma Scale.