Answer:
Option A. Severe brain injury and decreased level of consciousness
Step-by-step explanation:
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a clinical tool used to assess a patient's level of consciousness (LOC) and attach a quantifiable score to this aspect of a patient's cognition. It is composed of a patient's ability to respond to visual, verbal, and motor stimuli, and ranges from scores of 3 to 15; one cannot score lower than 3. Scores above 13 indicate a minor brain injury or a patient that is groggy from, say, a recent surgery. However, a lower score below 8 usually indicates a severe brain injury with decreased level of consciousness.
The score for eye response can range from 1 to 4, with a 1 meaning the patient did not open their eyes and a 4 meaning they opened their eyes spontaneously such as upon command or hearing their name.
The score for verbal response can range from 1 to 5, with a 1 meaning the patient makes no sounds and a 5 meaning the patient is able to communicate their orientation (who they are, what time/year/day it is, where they are) and or carry on normal conversation.
The score for motor response can range from 1 to 6, with a 1 meaning the patient has no movements such as being comatose and a 6 meaning the patient can move and respond to commands.
The sum of the patient's scores for each test within the tool dictates the classification of the suspected brain injury for the patient. Scores between 3 and 8 usually mean a patient is in a coma. Thus, a low score on the GCS represents a severe brain injury and decreased level of consciousness.