A patient with a head injury presents with abnormal flexion of his extremities. What numeric value should you assign to him for motor response?

A patient with a head injury presents with abnormal flexion of his extremities. What numeric value should you assign to him for motor response?

• A. 4
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 5

Answer: (C)

This question tests the motor response component of the Glasgow Coma Scale. When a patient shows abnormal flexion of the extremities, it corresponds to a motor score of three. On the motor scale: 6 = obeys commands; 5 = localizes pain; 4 = withdraws from pain; 3 = abnormal flexion (decorticate posturing) to pain; 2 = extension to pain (decerebrate); 1 = no motor response. Abnormal flexion indicates dysfunction above the brainstem and is less responsive than normal withdrawal. So the correct numeric value is three.

This question tests the motor response component of the Glasgow Coma Scale. When a patient shows abnormal flexion of the extremities, it corresponds to a motor score of three. On the motor scale: 6 = obeys commands; 5 = localizes pain; 4 = withdraws from pain; 3 = abnormal flexion (decorticate posturing) to pain; 2 = extension to pain (decerebrate); 1 = no motor response. Abnormal flexion indicates dysfunction above the brainstem and is less responsive than normal withdrawal. So the correct numeric value is three.