semi comatose vs comatose

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 14, 2012

Think of the Glascow coma scale. A person who is comatose will have no response to stimuli- other than (possibly) painful stimuli. A person who is semi-comatose may be somewhat responsive to physical or verbal stimuli (i.e. opening their eyes or moving when touched).

Another way to think of it is in terms of sedation. A person who is given "conscious sedation" such as for a colonoscopy, may be in a semi-comatose state, as their responses are diminished, but not completely gone. Whereas a person under complete sedation, or general anesthesia will not have any response to the things going on around them.

serenie222 · May 17, 2012

i thought when someone is in comatose they won't be able to feel pain aanymore just maybe can hear. @@

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 17, 2012

Actually, when someone is comatose, it usually means they only have basic brain functions remaining- control of breathing, cardiac function, primitive reflexes, and the ability to feel pain. Of course if there is brain damage, these basic functions may be affected.