Question

What is the purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale used by health care personnel?

a) To assess cardiac function
b) To measure blood pressure
c) To evaluate respiratory rate
d) To assess neurological status

Answer 1

The Glasgow Coma Scale is a clinical tool used by health care personnel to assess neurological status, especially important in emergency situations for timely treatment and improving patient outcomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale used by health care personnel is d) To assess neurological status. This clinical tool is crucial for a rapid assessment of a patient's neurological function, especially in emergency situations where time is of the essence. A thorough neurological exam can be conducted swiftly, sometimes in as little as 5 minutes, to establish the neurological function and potentially pinpoint areas affected by damage or disease.

In emergency departments, such assessments can significantly influence the treatment approach and the extent of recovery possibilities for conditions like strokes, trauma to the nervous system, or other neurological emergencies. Understanding and using the Glasgow Coma Scale allows for timely and effective medical interventions that can drastically improve patient outcomes.

The neurological exam includes various components such as mental status, cranial nerve function, sensory and motor exams, as well as coordination, each of which can provide detailed information about different regions of the central nervous system (CNS).