American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

What does a Motor GCS score of 1 indicate?

1. No response

2. Decorticate flexion

3. Localizes pain

4. Follows commands

The correct answer is: No response

A Motor GCS score of 1 indicates "no response," which is the lowest possible score on the Glasgow Coma Scale for motor response. This score signifies that the patient does not exhibit any motor activity in response to verbal commands or painful stimuli. Understanding the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is essential in assessing a patient's level of consciousness and neurological function. The motor component of the GCS evaluates how a person responds to pain and commands through purposeful movements, abnormal posturing, or no movement at all. A score of 1 specifically implies a complete absence of motor response, indicating a severe impairment in neurological function, which is critical in determining the severity of a patient’s condition. The other possible responses reflect varying levels of consciousness and responsiveness—for instance, decorticate flexion suggests some degree of response indicating an issue with brain function but not total lack of motor function, while localizing pain and following commands imply higher levels of cognitive engagement and motor response. Thus, a Motor GCS score of 1 distinctly marks a very grave state in terms of neurological assessment.