The assessing nurse should ask the following questions for a verbal response:
Can you tell me your name?
Can you tell me what year and month it is?
Can you tell me where you are?
The ensuing verbal response is scored from "orientated" to "none".
If the person has a tracheostomy, this may well limit their verbal response. Please document this as a capital letter 'T' in the verbal response section. Difficulties with language and dysphasia should also be recorded.
Click on each of the images shown to listen to an example of the type of verbal response given for a particular score.
" My name is John Arthur Williams. It's June 2013, around midday. I am in Nottingham at the hospital. "
This person is orientated to time, place and person. This would score 5.
" My name is John Arthur Williams. It's April 1981. I'm not sure where I am, am I at home? "
This person is not orientated to time and place but is orientated to person. This would score 4 as they are confused.
" No! Get out of my house! "
This person's response is not appropriate to the question asked. This would score 3.
" [audible muttering or groaning] "
The person's response cannot be understood. It is made up of sounds, rather than words, and does not form an answer to the question asked. This would score 2.
" [silence / no response] "
This person fails to make any response to the question. This would score 1.
