Levels of Consciousness

Your pt is drowsy and easily falls asleep, if not stimulated. Their movements are likely to be slow and communication can be difficult. Which level of consciousness is this?

Your pt is always sleeping and difficult to arouse. When they are awake, they are typically confused. Which level of consciousness is this?

Your pt is in a semiconscious state. They are essentially unresponsonsive but may respond briefly with gross movements to a strong stimulus, such as sharp pain. They are not able to follow any commands. What level of consciousness is this?

Your pt is totally unconscious, unresponsive, unaware, and unarousable. They do not respond to any type of stimulus, regardless of the strength. What level of consciousness is this?

Your pt is unconscious and unaware of their surroundings. They do not speak or respond to verbal commands. They do, however, have sleep-wake cycles and they may have their eyes open and have the ability to visually track objects. They may also have generalized nonspecific movements, groan, or show reflex responses (i.e. withdrawals from pain). An individual in this state has no evidence of cerebral cortical function. Thus, they have no awareness of self or awareness of the environment. What level of consciousness is this?

Your pt has limited, but definite, evidence of self- awareness or environmental awareness. This awareness is inconsistent, but distinguishable from reflexive behavior. For example, they will localize to a painful stimulus and/ or reach for objects. What level of consciousness is this?