Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What score is given for "inappropriate words" on the verbal component of the Glasgow Coma Scale?

1. 3

2. 4

3. 5

4. 2

The correct answer is: 3

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a clinical tool used to assess a patient's level of consciousness and neurological functioning, particularly after a head injury. It consists of three components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. The verbal response component specifically evaluates the patient's ability to communicate and use language appropriately. In this context, a score of 3 indicates that the patient is demonstrating no verbal response at all, which is considered the lowest level of responsiveness. A score of 4, on the other hand, is assigned when the patient is using inappropriate words; this means that while the person is able to produce words, they are not coherent or contextually appropriate. Therefore, the correct score given for “inappropriate words” would actually be 4, not 3. Understanding the scoring system of the GCS is crucial for healthcare professionals as it guides treatment decisions and helps in determining the prognosis for patients with head injuries. Each scoring level reflects the observed behavior, which is vital for effective patient assessment.