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

Which score in the Motor GCS indicates decerebrate posturing?

1. 4

2. 3

3. 2

4. 1

The correct answer is: 2

In the Motor component of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), a score of 2 indicates decerebrate posturing. Decerebrate posturing occurs when there is severe damage to the brain, often affecting the brainstem, and is characterized by the person's arms being extended and the legs being stiff. This response typically suggests a more severe level of dysfunction compared to decorticate posturing, where the arms are flexed. In the context of the GCS, each score reflects a different level of motor response. A score of 4 would indicate purposeful movement, while a score of 3 would signify withdrawal to pain, demonstrating a degree of awareness and response. A score of 1 corresponds to no response at all, indicating a lack of any movement to stimuli. Therefore, among the available scores, 2 specifically denotes the presence of abnormal posturing indicative of decerebrate rigidity, situating it as a sign of significant neurological impairment.