ABSTRACT
This evaluation is very similar to that of the patient with severe head trauma and in some respects the Modified Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) system may be useful, although it has not been universally utilized or validated. Unless the diagnosis is established from the history (e.g. toxin ingestion), further testing is usually necessary:
● Routine laboratory analysis is essential – the minimal acceptable information should include packed cell volume (PCV), total protein concentration, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), electrolytes, and glucose concentrations.
