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Assessment of altered conscious level in clinical practice

Assessment of altered conscious level in clinical practice
Assessment of altered conscious level in clinical practice
This article will critically appraise the literature focusing on the use and application of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Historically the GCS tool was created in a 14-point format and later revised to a 15-point format. Critical analysis of this potentially confusing aspect will be explored. The GCS tool enables the healthcare practitioner to effectively monitor the level of consciousness. The authors believe that anatomical and physiological knowledge is required to competently interpret assessment of level of consciousness. The article will review the anatomical basis of consciousness and consider some of the issues of application of GCS in practice, including painful stimuli.
Glasgow Coma Scale, consciousness, early warning score
0966-0461
1255-1259
Palmer, Rachel
ab8687c0-0b97-41ac-8eb9-6df2feb14df1
Knight, Jessica
77aa6c93-df11-4f6f-8bc7-5026d7656131
Palmer, Rachel
ab8687c0-0b97-41ac-8eb9-6df2feb14df1
Knight, Jessica
77aa6c93-df11-4f6f-8bc7-5026d7656131

Palmer, Rachel and Knight, Jessica (2006) Assessment of altered conscious level in clinical practice. British Journal of Nursing, 15 (22), 1255-1259.

Record type: Article

Abstract

This article will critically appraise the literature focusing on the use and application of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Historically the GCS tool was created in a 14-point format and later revised to a 15-point format. Critical analysis of this potentially confusing aspect will be explored. The GCS tool enables the healthcare practitioner to effectively monitor the level of consciousness. The authors believe that anatomical and physiological knowledge is required to competently interpret assessment of level of consciousness. The article will review the anatomical basis of consciousness and consider some of the issues of application of GCS in practice, including painful stimuli.

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More information

Published date: December 2006
Keywords: Glasgow Coma Scale, consciousness, early warning score

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 43957
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/43957
ISSN: 0966-0461
PURE UUID: 43516897-a5f8-4cad-9a7c-35539347f46c

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 06 Feb 2007
Last modified: 08 Jan 2022 03:56

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Contributors

Author: Rachel Palmer
Author: Jessica Knight

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