What is the possible total score range on the Glasgow Coma Scale?

What is the possible total score range on the Glasgow Coma Scale?

• A. 0 to 15
• B. 3 to 15
• C. 1 to 14
• D. 5 to 18

Answer: (B)

The Glasgow Coma Scale adds scores from three components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Each category has a minimum of 1 point (even when there’s no response) and maximums of 4, 5, and 6 respectively. So the lowest possible total is 1 + 1 + 1 = 3, and the highest possible total is 4 + 5 + 6 = 15. Hence the total score can range from 3 to 15. Other ranges aren’t possible because you can’t have a 0 in any category or exceed 15 in total.

The Glasgow Coma Scale adds scores from three components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Each category has a minimum of 1 point (even when there’s no response) and maximums of 4, 5, and 6 respectively. So the lowest possible total is 1 + 1 + 1 = 3, and the highest possible total is 4 + 5 + 6 = 15. Hence the total score can range from 3 to 15. Other ranges aren’t possible because you can’t have a 0 in any category or exceed 15 in total.