examinations

Question 1

what is the pneumonic for cerebellar examinations?

Answer 1

DANISH

Question 2

what do you look for in a cerebellar exam?

Answer 2

DANISH
- D: dysdiadochokinesia
- A: ataxia – gait and posture
- N: Nystagmus
- I: intention tremor
- S: slurred, staccato (speaking in short chopping sentences)
- H: hypotonia/ heel-shin test

Question 3

what is ataxia?

Answer 3

involuntary movements with irregular oscillatory quality that interferes with normal smooth trajectory

Question 4

what is truncal ataxia?

Answer 4

• Truncal: proximal musculature that is involved in gait stability  damage to cerebellar vermis and pathways

Question 5

what is appendicular ataxia?

Answer 5

• Appendicular: affects musculature of arms and legs involved in control of limb movement  damage to cerebellar hemispheres

Question 6

what is dysmetria?

Answer 6

Dysmetria- incoordination whilst attempting to perform heel to shin test  suggestive of ipsilateral cerebellar pathology

Question 7

what are the 4 points on eye opening response on GCS?

Answer 7

1. no response
2. to pain
3. to speech
4. spontaneously

Question 8

what are the 5 points you can get on verbal response for GCS?

Answer 8

1, no response
2. incomprehensible sounds
3. inappropriate words
4. confused
5. orientated to time, person and place

Question 9

what is the motor response within GCS?

Answer 9

1. no response
2. abnormal extension
3. abnormal flexion
4. flex to withdraw from pain
5. moves to localised pain
6. obeys command