How many total points can be scored on the Glasgow Coma Scale for both verbal and motor responses combined?

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a clinical tool used to assess a patient's level of consciousness and neurological function. It evaluates three aspects of responsiveness: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. The total score on the GCS can range from 3 to 15.

For the verbal and motor responses specifically, the scoring breakdown is as follows:

1. Verbal Response: This component can score between 1 and 5 points:

• 1 point: No response

• 2 points: Incomprehensible sounds

• 3 points: Inappropriate words

• 4 points: Confused conversation

• 5 points: Oriented and appropriate

2. Motor Response: This component can score between 1 and 6 points:

• 1 point: No response

• 2 points: Extension to pain (decerebrate response)

• 3 points: Flexion to pain (decorticate response)

• 4 points: Withdrawal from pain

• 5 points: Localizes pain

• 6 points: Obeys commands

Adding the maximum scores for both the verbal and motor responses provides a total of 5 (