How is moderate TBI defined?

How is moderate TBI defined?

• A. GCS 13-15
• B. GCS 3-8
• C. GCS 9-12
• D. Loss of consciousness > 30 minutes

Answer: (C)

Moderate traumatic brain injury is defined by the level of consciousness on the Glasgow Coma Scale. The GCS ranges from 3 to 15, with scores: 13–15 for mild, 9–12 for moderate, and 3–8 for severe. So a GCS of 9–12 sits squarely in the moderate category, indicating more impairment than mild but not as deep a coma as in severe cases. The option about a longer loss of consciousness isn’t the standard way to classify severity by itself; while longer LOC can accompany more serious injury, the key, widely used criterion is the GCS score itself. Hence 9–12 best defines moderate TBI.

Moderate traumatic brain injury is defined by the level of consciousness on the Glasgow Coma Scale. The GCS ranges from 3 to 15, with scores: 13–15 for mild, 9–12 for moderate, and 3–8 for severe. So a GCS of 9–12 sits squarely in the moderate category, indicating more impairment than mild but not as deep a coma as in severe cases. The option about a longer loss of consciousness isn’t the standard way to classify severity by itself; while longer LOC can accompany more serious injury, the key, widely used criterion is the GCS score itself. Hence 9–12 best defines moderate TBI.