Which GCS range corresponds to moderate head injury?

Which GCS range corresponds to moderate head injury?

• A. 3-8
• B. 13-15
• C. 9-12
• D. <3

Answer: (C)

Understanding how the Glasgow Coma Scale sorts injury severity helps here. The total GCS score ranges from 3 to 15, with mild injuries typically 13–15, moderate injuries 9–12, and severe injuries 3–8. The range 9–12 reflects moderate impairment: the patient is not fully alert or oriented and shows meaningful dysfunction in eye opening, verbal, or motor responses, but is not in a deep coma. For example, opening eyes to speech, producing some confused or inappropriate words, and withdrawing to pain can land in this middle range. In contrast, 13–15 is mild and usually indicates near-normal consciousness, while 3–8 signals severe impairment. Note that a score cannot be less than 3, so a choice like less than 3 isn’t a valid total. Therefore, moderate head injury corresponds to 9–12.

Understanding how the Glasgow Coma Scale sorts injury severity helps here. The total GCS score ranges from 3 to 15, with mild injuries typically 13–15, moderate injuries 9–12, and severe injuries 3–8. The range 9–12 reflects moderate impairment: the patient is not fully alert or oriented and shows meaningful dysfunction in eye opening, verbal, or motor responses, but is not in a deep coma. For example, opening eyes to speech, producing some confused or inappropriate words, and withdrawing to pain can land in this middle range. In contrast, 13–15 is mild and usually indicates near-normal consciousness, while 3–8 signals severe impairment. Note that a score cannot be less than 3, so a choice like less than 3 isn’t a valid total. Therefore, moderate head injury corresponds to 9–12.