2.3. Neuro Exam OSCE Flashcards
What is included in your general neuro assessment?
mental status
- level of alertness
- appropriateness of responses
- orientation to person, place, time
How is CN I tested?
smell -use familiar & non-irritating odors
Conditions associated with loss of smell
- sinus conditions
- head trauma
- smoking
- aging
- cocaine use
How is CN II tested?
- visual acuity w/ snellen eye chart
- visual fields by confrontation
- light reaction
when is a person considered legally blind?
20/200
how far should the patient be from the snellen’s eye chart during an exam?
20 ft
How is vision tested by confrontation?
wiggling fingers at edge of field asking pt if they see it
How is light reaction tested?
shining light into eye checking for direct reaction & consensual reaction in other eye (sensory II, constriction III)
How is CN III tested?
- Light Reaction Consensual pupillary dilatation/constriction (III)
- The Near Reaction: Pupillary constriction (III)
How would you perform a Near Reaction test? What does this test, specifically?
- Pt shift gaze from far object to near one, pupils constrict.
- Tests CN III and accommodation
- CNIII – Check eyelid for ptosis
How would you document a normal Cardinal Signs of Gaze test?
EOMI (extra-ocular muscles are intact)
Nystagmus
Eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements
How far in front on the patients face are you when performing the Cardinal Signs of Gaze test?
12-18 inches
How you would test CN V?
- MOTOR: masseter & temporal muscles
- SENSORY: ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), mandibular (V3)
- CORNEAL REFLEX – Sensation is V, blinking is VII
How would you perform a motor test for CN V?
- Palpate the temporal & masseter m & ask pt to clench their teeth.
- Note the strength of m contraction.
- Ask pt to move jaw side to sided testing lateral pterygoids.
What would unilateral weakness indicate when testing for CN V motor?
CNS pontine lesion
What would bilateral weakness indicate when testing for CN V motor?
cerebral hemispheric disease since bilateral cortical innervation
How would you perform a sensory exam for CN V?
- Test forehead, cheeks, jaw on each side for pain sensation. Pt eyes should be closed.
- Use a broken long-tipped cotton swab occasionally substituting blunt end for point as stimulus. Ask pt if it is sharp or dull & be sure to compare sides.
-If abnormality found, confirm by temp sensation. Touch skin w/ either hot or cold stimuli & ask pt to report which they feel.
What would facial and body sensory loss on the same side during a CN V sensory exam indicate?
contralateral cortical or thalamic lesion
What would ipsilateral face but contralateral body sensory loss during a CN V sensory exam indicate?
Stroke in the brainstem
L brain stem lesion = L facial & R body sensory loss
What type of peripheral disorders would one see Isolated facial sensory loss?
trigeminal neuralgia
How would one test the corneal reflex for CN V?
Use a clean cotton swab to touch the cornea lateral to the iris, blinking of both eyes is the normal reaction to the stimulus
What would blinking absence in both eyes indicate with a corneal reflex test?
CN V lesions
What would blinking absence on the same side of weakness indicate with a corneal reflex test?
CN VII lesions
How would one test CN VII?
Facial muscles of expression:
-Inspect face during rest & conversation to note any asymmetry & observe any ticks or other abnormalities
-Raise both eyebrows, frown, close both eyes tight so that you cannot open them, test muscular strength by trying to open them, show both upper & lower teeth, smile, puff out both cheeks
What would be findings of Bell’s Palsy on exam?
affects both upper & lower face, loss of taste, hyperacusis, ↑ or ↓ tearing, CN7 lesion
How would a central lesion of CN VII appear on exam?
affects mainly lower face
How would one test the parasympathetics for CN VII?
secretion of saliva & tears
How would one test CN VII, sensory?
taste for salty, sweet, sour & bitter substances on the ant 2/3 tongue
How would you differentiate stroke from Bell’s palsy?
Unilateral lower face vs unilateral upper and lower face paralysis
How would one test CN VIII?
- Cochlear: Whisper, Weber, Rinne tests
- Vestibular: incorporated into cerebellar tests
How would you perform a whisper test? What is this testing?
CN VIII- Cochlear N
Check for hearing loss. If present, do Weber and Rinne tests.
-Stand 2 feet behind patient.
-Instruct patient to occlude ear not being tested.
-Exhale a full breath before whispering to ensure a quiet voice.
-Whisper a combination of three numbers and letters, such as 3-U-1. Use a different combination for the other ear.
-Abnormal Test= 4/6 numbers or letters are incorrect
What is considered an abnormal whisper test?
4/6 numbers or letters are incorrect
What do Weber and Rinne test’s assess? Which CN?
CN VIII
Tests for conductive or sensorineural hearing loss
How could one test the vestibular division specifically for CN VIII?
Balance- Rarely included in usual neuro exam
How would one test for CN IX? Include motor, sensory, and parasympathetics
- Gag reflex (CN IX, CN X)
1. Motor – Voluntary m for swallowing & phonation
2. Sensory – Sensation of nasopharynx, gag reflex & taste for post 1/3 tongue (taste and gag reflex rarely tested in PC setting)
3. Parasympathetic – Secretion of salivary glands & carotid reflex