TNCC Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Guide for Trauma Nurse Core Course Prep

In the context of assessing head injuries, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a critical tool used to quantify the level of consciousness and neurological functioning of a patient. A GCS score is determined by evaluating three components: eye-opening response, verbal response, and motor response.

A score of 8 or less is classified as a severe head injury. This threshold indicates significant impairment in consciousness, which often implies that the patient's ability to respond to stimuli is markedly diminished. A score of 8 or less suggests a critical state where the patient may be unable to protect their airway or respond appropriately, necessitating immediate medical intervention.

Scores higher than 8 indicate a better level of consciousness, with scores of 9 or more reflecting a moderate head injury or less severe conditions. Therefore, when evaluating a patient with a potential head injury, a GCS score of 8 or less serves as a key indicator for assessing the severity and urgency of the situation, guiding treatment decisions such as the need for airway protection and further neuroassessment.