What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) primarily used for?

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is primarily used to evaluate the level of consciousness after a brain injury. This scale provides a systematic way of documenting a patient's level of consciousness, which is critical in assessing the severity of a brain injury. The GCS assesses three key components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, each of which is scored based on the patient's activity. Higher scores indicate a higher level of consciousness, while lower scores reflect greater impairment. This information is vital for medical professionals in determining the necessary interventions and monitoring changes in the patient’s neurological status over time.

Using this scale helps in triaging patients and aids in communication among healthcare providers regarding the patient's condition. It is specifically designed to focus on the neurological aspect of a patient’s condition, making it distinct from assessments related to heart rate, respiratory function, or other bodily systems.