coma
Last reviewed 01/2018
A patient in a coma is unconscious.
Unconsciousness is difficult to define but is characterised by some or all of:
- apparently asleep
- eyes closed
- not talking
- not responding to instructions
- not moving
The level of unconsciousness is effectively described by the Glasgow coma scale which assesses:
- best verbal response
- best motor response
- level of stimulus required to make the patient open their eyes