Diagnostic Assessment For Nervous System Issues

Question 1

Laboratory Assessments

Answer 1

1. Fluid and Electrolytes
2. Serum Glucose
3. BMP (calcium, phosphorous, magnesium)
4. Anemia
5. Malnutrition (CBC count and serum levels of prealbumin and minerals/vitamins [B vitamins])
6. Arterial Blood (to evaluate pH, oxygen and carbon dioxide)
7. Culture (neurologic problem resulting from infection)

Question 2

Imagining Assessment

Answer 2

1. Plain X-ray (skull and spine)
2. Cerebral Angiography (shows blockages in the arteries or veins in the brain, head or neck that impair perfusion)
3. Computed Tomography (accurate, quick, easy, noninvasive, painless and the least expensive)
   1. CT Angiography: administering contrast dye to identify blockages or narrowing of blood vessels, aneurysm and other blood vessel abnormalities
   2. CT perfusion: using an advanced CT scanner with a special software system
   3. Intrahecal Contrast-enhanced CT: Performed to diagnose disorders of the spine and spine roots
4. Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography: (radiopharmaceutical agent to enable radioisotopes to cross the blood brain barrier)
5. Magnetoenccephalogrpahy: (non-invasive; measures the magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the brain via extremely sensitive devices [superconducting quantum interference devices {SQUIDs}])

Question 3

Other Diagnostic Testing

Answer 3

1. Electromyography: identifies nerve and muscle disorders, as well as spinal disease
2. Electroencephalography: Records electrical activity of the cerebral hemispheres
3. Lumbar Puncture: Insertion of a spinal needle into the subarachnoid space