Clinical & Neurological Examinations Flashcards
Evaluate light touch
Cotton bud
L1-5, S1-2 dermatomes
Evaluate reflexes
Reflex hammer on knee (L3/4) and ankle (S1)
Babinski
Clonus
Evaluate muscle tone
Wriggly leg one
Evaluate vibration sensation
Tuning fork
Evaluate proprioception
Wriggle isolated joints
Evaluate nociception/pain sensation
Sharp/dull
L1-5, S1-2 dermatomes
Evaluate myotomes/motor strength
Isometric contractions 5 seconds
L1/2 – Hip flexion
L3/4 – Knee extension
L4/5 – Knee flexion/Ankle dorsiflexion
L5 – Great toe extension
S1/2 – Ankle plantarflexion
What do we observe for neurological assessment?
Muscle wasting/asymmetries as well as involuntary movements
Evaluate coordination
Tap feet on examiners hand and heel knee to toe test
If slow or clumsy = dysdiadochokinesia
Heel from knee to toe testing
Look for overshooting (dysmetria) or tremor
What do we observe for vascular function?
Skin appearance and colour, fingertips and nail beds, arm size (swelling) and venous pattern
How do we palpate for temperature?
With back of fingers
How and where do we palpate the pulse?
Femoral artery in femoral triangle, popliteal fossa, posterior to the medial malleolus, and dorsalis pedis
Where do we palpate lymph nodes?
Inguinal ligament and femoral artery
What are we looking for in the observational, regional and functional screening?
Observing swelling, redness and bruising, any inconsistencies, asymmetries, ADL’s, gait
Observation
Muscle bulk/wasting Involuntary movements (chorea, tremors)
