Coma

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A coma is a "profound state of unconsciousness associated with depressed cerebral activity from which the individual cannot be aroused. Coma generally occurs when there is dysfunction or injury involving both cerebral hemispheres or the brain stem reticular formation."^[1]

The FOUR (Full Outline of UnResponsiveness) score may be better than the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) among patients in critical care.^[2] The FOUR Score tests:

• eye response
• motor response
• brainstem reflexes
• respiration pattern

References

1. ↑ Anonymous, (2009) Coma (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. ↑ Iyer VN, Mandrekar JN, Danielson RD, Zubkov AY, Elmer JL, Wijdicks EF (2009). Validity of the FOUR score coma scale in the medical intensive care unit.. Mayo Clin Proc 84 (8): 694-701. DOI:10.4065/84.8.694. PMID 19648386. PMC PMC2719522.