The component of the Glasgow Coma Scale that assesses motor function is which of the following?

• A. Auditory response
• B. Cranial nerve response
• C. Pupillary response
• D. Motor response

Answer: (D)

Movement is assessed by the motor response portion of the Glasgow Coma Scale. This part specifically looks at the patient’s best motor response to commands or to a painful stimulus, with a score range from 6 (obeys commands) down to 1 (no movement). It’s distinct from eye opening (how the eyes respond) and verbal response (what the patient can say or articulate). Pupillary or cranial nerve status aren’t part of the GCS scoring. So the component that measures motor function is the motor response.