**Core Concept**
The patient's level of consciousness and neurological function can be assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which evaluates eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The patient's ability to open eyes only on painful stimuli indicates a score of 2 out of 4 for eye opening. His verbal response of saying inappropriate words suggests a score of 2 out of 5 for verbal response. His motor response of moving limbs on commands indicates a score of 5 out of 6 for motor response. The GCS is calculated by adding the scores of eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. In this case, the total GCS score is 2 + 2 + 5 = 9.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the patient's verbal response is not absent (score 1), but rather inappropriate (score 2).
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the patient's motor response is not flexion to pain (score 3), but rather movement on commands (score 5).
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the patient's eye opening is not spontaneous (score 4), but rather only on painful stimuli (score 2).

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember that the GCS is a useful tool for rapid assessment of neurological function in emergency situations, but it has limitations and should be used in conjunction with other clinical assessments.

**Correct Answer: D. 9**