Assessment of the Neurological system Flashcards
Define stroke
Damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.
Define epilepsy
a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Define hypoxia
deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.
Define hypotension
abnormally low blood pressure.
Define haemorrhage
an escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel.
What do we look for under the motor system?
ROM of joints, size of pupils, strength of body, tone, and involuntary movements
What do we look for under the coordinated and skilled movements?
Rapid pronation and supination of hands. Finger to finger test, finger to nose test, heel to shin test.
What does ABCDE stand for?
ABCDE stands for asymmetry, border, color, diameter and evolving.
What does AVPU stand for?
alert, verbal, pain, unresponsive
What does GCS stand for?
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the most common scoring system used to describe the level of consciousness in a person following a traumatic brain injury. Basically, it is used to help gauge the severity of an acute brain injury
When doing a neurological assessment we are observing for any change in?
Coordination, orientation, speech, memory, sight, drowsiness, affect on mood, walking, swallow, sensation, hearing, continence, and writing.
What occurs during a reflex?
A sensory receptor in the skin or muscle is simulated and a neural impulse travels from the afferent neuron to the spinal cord. Then the efferent neuron transmits the impulse back to the effector muscle which causes movement.
What is an efferent neuron?
An immediate sequence of actions in response to a stimuli
What are the two types of reflex’s?
Spinal and cranial
Define a spinal reflex
Mainly involves the grey matter of the spinal cord and may serve to dampen the reflex - it is the most common
Define a cranial reflex
Involves the brain aka moving eyes and blinking
What is a normal response of the archives reflex test?
Foot plantar flexes against hand
What is a normal response of the knee reflex test?
Extension of the lower leg
What is a normal response of the biceps reflex test?
Contraction of the biceps muscle and flexion of the forearm
What is a normal response of the triceps reflex test?
Extension of forearm
What is an afferent neuron?
Afferent neurons convey information from tissues and organs into the central nervous system
What is an efferent neuron?
Efferent neurons transmit signals from the central nervous system (CNS) to the effector cells (e.g. motor neurons )
What is a reflex?
An immediate sequence of actions in response to a stimuli
What may damage to the lower motor neurons result in?
A decrease or absence of reflex responses.
What does SOAP stand for?
Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
What is the Achilles reflex test?
occurs when the Achilles tendon is tapped while the foot is dorsiflexed.
What Is the knee reflex test?
sudden kicking movement of the lower leg in response to a sharp tap on the patellar tendon, which lies just below the kneecap
What is the biceps reflex test?
The test is performed by using a tendon hammer to quickly depress the biceps brachii tendon as it passes through the cubital fossa
What is the triceps reflex test?
With the elbow in flexion, tap the triceps tendon, just proximal to the elbow, with a reflex hammer.
What is the plantar reflex test?
This reflex is usually tested by doctors by stroking the sole of the foot. When the big toe bends up and back toward the top of the foot while the other four toes spread out from one another, it’s called the Babinski sign.
What is polio?
A virus that may cause paralysis and is easily preventable by the polio vaccine.
What is encephalitis?
Inflammation of the brain, often due to infection.
What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
A condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves.
