Reduced GCS
Severity
GCS
- MildGCS 13–14
- ModerateGCS 9–12
- Airway at riskGCS ≤ 8
🚨 Life-Threatening — exclude first
If suspected, escalate now.
Hypoglycaemia
Opioid / sedative overdose
Intracranial haemorrhage / stroke
Status epilepticus / post-ictal
Sepsis / encephalopathy
Severe hyponatraemia / hypercalcaemia
⚗️
Metabolic Causes
Hypoglycaemia / hyperglycaemia (DKA / HHS)Hyponatraemia / hypernatraemiaUraemic / hepatic encephalopathyHypercalcaemia
🫁
Hypoxia / Hypercapnia Causes
Type 2 respiratory failureSevere hypoxia from any cause
💊
Drugs & toxins Causes
OpioidsBenzodiazepinesAlcohol intoxication / withdrawalAntipsychotics, tricyclicsRecreational drugs
🧠
Neurological Causes
Stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic)Subarachnoid haemorrhageSubdural / extraduralSeizure / post-ictalMeningitis / encephalitisRaised ICP / SOL
🦠
Infective / Systemic Causes
SepsisSevere systemic illness
🤕
Trauma Causes
Head injurySpinal injury