A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 indicates which condition?

A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 indicates which condition?

• A. Severe brain injury requiring airway protection.
• B. Fully alert, oriented, normal motor/verbal response.
• C. Moderate brain injury with reduced responsiveness.
• D. Unresponsive with no eye opening.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how the Glasgow Coma Scale measures consciousness. It adds three components—eye opening, verbal response, and motor response—each with its own maximum (eye opening up to 4, verbal up to 5, motor up to 6). A total of 15 means all three responses are at their best: eyes open spontaneously, the person is oriented and speaks normally, and follows commands. That state reflects full alertness and normal neurological function. So a score of 15 indicates someone is fully alert with normal motor and verbal responses. Lower scores describe progressively greater impairment, which is why the other descriptions don’t fit a perfect 15.

The main idea here is how the Glasgow Coma Scale measures consciousness. It adds three components—eye opening, verbal response, and motor response—each with its own maximum (eye opening up to 4, verbal up to 5, motor up to 6). A total of 15 means all three responses are at their best: eyes open spontaneously, the person is oriented and speaks normally, and follows commands. That state reflects full alertness and normal neurological function.

So a score of 15 indicates someone is fully alert with normal motor and verbal responses. Lower scores describe progressively greater impairment, which is why the other descriptions don’t fit a perfect 15.