What is the primary purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale?

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is specifically designed to assess a patient's level of consciousness and neurological function. This scale provides a standardized method for healthcare professionals to evaluate and communicate a patient's responsiveness based on three key aspects: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Each of these categories is scored, and the total score helps to indicate the severity of a patient's neurological impairment.

By quantifying the level of consciousness, the GCS is instrumental in guiding treatment decisions, monitoring changes in a patient’s condition, and determining the need for further medical intervention. Its primary focus is therefore centered on neurological assessment rather than physiological measures such as blood pressure or heart function, or aspects related to medication management.