Basic Neuro Exam

Question 1

Which spinal levels are testing by having pt Abduct, Flex, or Extend their shoulder

Answer 1

C5

Deltoid

Question 2

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt Flex their elbow?

Answer 2

C5, C6

Question 3

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt Extend their elbow?

Answer 3

C6, C7, C8

Question 4

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt Flex their wrist?

Answer 4

C6, C7

Question 5

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt extend their wrist?

Answer 5

C6, C7

Question 6

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt Abduct their fingers?

Answer 6

C8, T1

Question 7

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt perform opposition of their thumb?

Answer 7

C8, T1

Question 8

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt Flex their hip?

Answer 8

L2, L3, L4

Psoas and Iliacus

Question 9

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt Extend their hip?

Answer 9

S1

Gluteus maximus

Question 10

Which spinal levels are you testing by having pt Adduct their hip?

Answer 10

L2, L3, L4

Question 11

Which spinal levels are you testing for by having pt Abduct their hip?

Answer 11

L4, L5, S1

Question 12

Which spinal levels are you testing for by having pt flex their knee?

Answer 12

L4, L5, S1, S2

Hamstrings

Question 13

Which spinal levels are you testing for by having pt extend their knee?

Answer 13

L2, L3, L4

Quadriceps

Question 14

Which spinal levels are you testing for by having pt Plantar Flex their ankle?

Answer 14

S1

Gastrocnemius

Question 15

Which spinal levels are you testing for by having pt dorsiflex their ankle?

Answer 15

L4, L5

Tibialis Anterior

Question 16

What Motor Dermatomes are you testing for with the Biceps?

Answer 16

C5-C6

Question 17

What Motor Dermatomes are you testing for with the Triceps?

Answer 17

C6-C8

Question 18

What Motor Dermatomes are you testing for with the Quadriceps?

Answer 18

L2-L4

Question 19

What Motor Dermatomes are you testing for with the Gastrocnemius?

Answer 19

L5-S2

Question 20

What are the signs of issues with an Upper Motor Neuron?

Answer 20

Hypertonia

Hyperreflexia

Pronator Drift

Positive Babinski
- Big toe bends back, rest of toes fan apart

Question 21

What are the signs of issues with a lower motor neuron?

Answer 21

Muscle Wasting

Fasciculation

Decreased tone

Decreased reflexes

Muscle disease

Question 22

What are the 4 systems required to coordinate movements?

Answer 22

Motor system - strength

Cerebellar System - rhythmic movement and steady posture

Vestibular System - balance and coordinating eye, body, head movement

Sensory System - For position sense

Question 23

How do you test cerebellar function?

Answer 23

Finger to nose - voluntary movements

Finger to finger - evaluates position sense

Heel-to-shin - tap heel on opposite patella and glide heel slowly along the shin, look for accuracy and smoothness

Rapid Alternating Movements - rapid pronation/supination of hand - deficit seen in frontal and cerebellar damage

Question 24

How do you test gait?

Answer 24

Have pt rise from chair with arms folded

May indicate proximal muscle weakness if unable to perform task

Also:

ROMBERG TEST

Generally evaluated with gait and station but is a test of proprioception (sensory test)