Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A GCS score between 9 and 15 indicates varying degrees of impaired consciousness, with the score itself reflecting the patient's level of responsiveness and neurological function. A score in this range typically suggests that the patient is not fully alert and oriented, which aligns with a moderate level of consciousness.

Patients with a GCS of 9 to 12 may be in a state of confusion, experiencing some difficulty in maintaining awareness or responding appropriately, while those with a GCS of 13 to 15 are often considered to have a mild impairment. This classification is crucial for assessing the severity of a patient's brain injury and can help guide treatment decisions and predict outcomes. Understanding these scores is vital for trauma nurses, as it informs clinical assessments and interventions.

The other options do not accurately reflect this range of GCS. A score indicating full alertness and orientation is typically 15, while scores below 9 suggest severe impairment and unresponsiveness, such as in cases of severe brain injury.