The Cardiovascular
ToolsCalculators

FOUR (Full Outline of UnResponsiveness) score

Coma assessment usable in intubated patients.

FOUR (Full Outline of UnResponsiveness) score
Eye response
Motor response
Brainstem reflexes
Respiration
Result16 / 16

Higher scores indicate greater responsiveness; a score of 0 reflects the most impaired state and carries the highest in-hospital mortality.

FOUR score (0-16)
16

When to use

  • Grading consciousness in critically ill or intubated patients where the verbal GCS component cannot be tested.
  • Detecting locked-in syndrome and brainstem dysfunction that GCS may miss.

Formula

Sum of four components each scored 0-4: eye response, motor response, brainstem reflexes, and respiration. Range 0-16.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Unlike GCS, the FOUR score does not require a verbal response, making it valid in intubated patients and able to identify brainstem reflex loss.

References

  1. Wijdicks EF, et al. Ann Neurol. 2005;58(4):585-93.