title: Rapid evaluation of comatose patients.
abstract: Coma is a common, life-threatening medical problem encountered by primary care physicians. The principles of emergency management mandate that adequate oxygenation, blood flow, and supplementation with thiamine and glucose be given to the brain before a thorough diagnostic evaluation is undertaken. Knowledge of the usual causes of coma coupled with clues from the neurologic examination often aid in diagnosis and provide useful prognostic information.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1315.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Alguire
mesh_terms: D003128:Coma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D012025:Reflex, Pupillary / Q000502:physiology; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology