In adults, what does the Verbal Response score of 5 indicate?

In adults, what does the Verbal Response score of 5 indicate?

• A. No verbal response
• B. Inappropriate response
• C. Answers questions appropriately (oriented)
• D. Gives confused answers

Answer: (C)

Verbal response on the Glasgow Coma Scale reflects how well a person can speak and be oriented during the assessment. A score of five means the patient is oriented and answers questions appropriately—knowing who they are, where they are, and the current time, and able to carry on a normal conversation. This is the highest level of verbal function on the scale. Lower verbal scores indicate progressively less coherent speech: no verbal response, incomprehensible sounds, inappropriate words, and then confused conversation. So describing someone as answering questions appropriately and being oriented matches the five-point verbal score.

Verbal response on the Glasgow Coma Scale reflects how well a person can speak and be oriented during the assessment. A score of five means the patient is oriented and answers questions appropriately—knowing who they are, where they are, and the current time, and able to carry on a normal conversation. This is the highest level of verbal function on the scale. Lower verbal scores indicate progressively less coherent speech: no verbal response, incomprehensible sounds, inappropriate words, and then confused conversation. So describing someone as answering questions appropriately and being oriented matches the five-point verbal score.