What is the purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale?

The purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is to assess a patient's level of consciousness. This scale provides a systematic way to gauge a person's responsiveness through three key components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Each of these components is scored based on the patient's reaction, allowing healthcare professionals to determine the neurological status and predict outcomes.

The GCS is especially useful in emergency medical settings, as it helps paramedics and other responders quickly evaluate a patient's condition, particularly in cases of head injury, stroke, or other conditions that may impair consciousness. A lower score on the GCS indicates a more severe impairment of consciousness, guiding medical intervention and transport decisions.

The other choices do not align with the specific purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale. Evaluating a patient's pain threshold pertains to pain assessment tools, identifying respiratory distress causes does not relate to consciousness, and blood pressure measurement involves different vital sign assessment techniques.