The motor component is most predictive, and GCS should be determined prior to intubation and paralysis, if possible. A verbal pseudoscore of 1T can be used for intubated patients. An eye-opening pseudoscore of 1 can be assigned if the patient has periorbital swelling and is unable to open his eyes. This should be documented. Withdrawal involves rapid arm flexion and shoulder abduction, in contrast to abnormal flexion, which is slower with flexion of the wrist and adduction of the shoulder.
Hypotension is a relative term in the brain-injured patient.
Like any organ, the brain needs blood flow for perfusion. The body has the ability to autoregulate cerebral blood flow for a range of cerebral perfusion pressures. This can result in the brain being starved of blood. Hypotension must be avoided to keep the CPP up. Perfuse it or lose it.