Question

When caring for a client with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who had a craniotomy for increased intracranial pressure (ICP), the nurse assesses the client using the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) every two hours. For the past 8 hours the client's GCS score has been 14. What does this GCS finding indicate about the client?

Answer 1

A GCS score of 14 indicates a mild impairment in consciousness but the client is still able to follow commands, communicate effectively, and maintain eye contact.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess the level of consciousness in a client with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The scale ranges from 3 to 15, with 15 representing the highest level of consciousness. A GCS score of 14 indicates that the client is experiencing a mild impairment in consciousness, but is still able to follow commands, communicate effectively, and maintain eye contact. It is important to continue monitoring the client's GCS scores regularly to detect any changes in neurological function.