When coma is assigned to one AIS descriptor, what should be used for other head injuries?

When assessing head injuries in the context of AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale) descriptors, if a coma is assigned to one descriptor, the appropriate value for other head injuries is usually denoted as "NFS," which stands for "Not Further Specified." This indicates that while there may be additional injuries present, they do not meet the criteria for a higher classification or descriptor and therefore should not detract from the primary classification given for the coma.

Assigning "NFS" allows medical professionals to indicate the complexity of the head injury without overstating the severity of other injuries that may be less impactful. It provides a clear communication tool in trauma care, allowing for better triage and treatment decisions.

Other terms like "Critical," "Maximum," and "Serious" denote varying degrees of severity but do not accurately reflect the situation when one descriptor is already categorized with a coma. They imply a higher level of injury than what is applicable for the remaining head injuries classified under the same incident. Thus, using "NFS" in this context is appropriate to maintain accuracy in injury assessment.