BALANCE NEURI EXAM Flashcards
Q: Why is it important to stay close to the patient during a neurological assessment of the motor system?
A: Patients with neurological disease are at an increased risk of falls, so staying close allows you to intervene if necessary.
Q: What is Romberg’s test used for in a neurological assessment?
A: Romberg’s test is used to assess balance and could potentially indicate conditions like B12 deficiency or Parkinson’s disease.
Q: What does a positive Romberg’s test indicate?
A: A positive Romberg’s test, where the patient begins to fall when standing with eyes closed, may suggest a neurological disorder affecting proprioception, like B12 deficiency or Parkinson’s disease.
Q: How is the pronator drift test conducted?
A: The patient holds their arms out in front with palms facing upwards. The examiner observes for signs of pronation (drifting of an arm) for 20-30 seconds. If no pronation occurs, the patient is asked to close their eyes and the test is repeated.
Q: What does the pronator drift test assess?
A: The pronator drift test is used to assess for upper motor neuron disease.
Q: Why might a patient be asked to mime playing the piano during a neurological assessment?
A: This could be used to assess fine motor control, coordination, and the ability to perform rapid alternating movements.
Q: How would you assess coordination in a neurological assessment?
A: You can ask the patient to extend their arms and close their eyes. Then touch a finger and ask them to touch their nose. Repeat with different fingers. This is a coordination exercise.
Q: What does the finger-to-nose test assess?
A: The finger-to-nose test is used to assess coordination, specifically cerebellar function.
Q: How is the finger-to-nose test conducted?
A: The patient is asked to extend one finger in front of them, then touch their nose with the tip of their index finger and then touch the fingertip. They are then asked to continue this motion as fast as they are able, and optionally, with their eyes closed.
Q: Why might a patient be asked to perform the finger-to-nose test with their eyes closed?
A: Closing the eyes enhances reliance on proprioception. Changes in performance with the eyes closed can provide clues to the presence of a sensory or cerebellar disorder.
Q: What might a patient’s inability to perform the finger-to-nose test accurately suggest?
A: An inability to perform the test accurately may suggest cerebellar dysfunction or a problem with proprioception.
Q: If a patient’s arm drifts and pronates during the pronator drift test with their eyes closed, what could this indicate?
A: This could be a sign of an upper motor neuron lesion.
