Neuro Assessment

Question 1

what is dysarthria?

Answer 1

difficulty articulating/speaking

Question 2

long term memory would include what things?

Answer 2

birthday, schools attended, city of birth, moms maiden name

Question 3

recall memory would include what things?

Answer 3

medical hx accuracy, HCP seen recently, transportation to hospital

Question 4

immediate memory would include what things?

Answer 4

say 3 words and ask the pt to repeat the words, ask for the same words in 5 minutes

Question 5

what scale is used to assess a pts neuro status?

Answer 5

glasgow coma scale

Question 6

what is a CSF analysis used for?

Answer 6

provide information about a variety of CNS diseases

Question 7

what is the most common method of sampling CSF?

Answer 7

lumbar puncture

Question 8

lumbar puncture is contraindicated if what 2 things?

Answer 8

1. increased intracranial pressure
2. infection at the site of the puncture

Question 9

what does normal CSF look like?

Answer 9

clear, colorless, odorless, free of RBC

Question 10

what to do before a lumbar puncture?

Answer 10

before: have pt void, tell pt they may feel temporary sharp pain

Question 11

what position is pt normally in during a lumbar puncture?

Answer 11

side lying or seated

Question 12

what to do after a lumbar puncture?

Answer 12

encourage fluids, monitor neuro signs and VS, monitor for headache or s/s of local trauma (hematoma , pain), give pain meds prn

Question 13

how long is pt on bed rest after LP?

Answer 13

4-8 hrs in flat position

Question 14

nursing care for Computed Tomography scan

Answer 14

monitor for delayed allergic reaction to contrast

Question 15

important for pt to do during CT

Answer 15

lie perfectly still

Question 16

what allergies are a contraindication for contrast?

Answer 16

shellfish, iodine, dye

Question 17

what is MRI a better picture than?

Answer 17

CT scan

Question 18

what does MRI detect?

Answer 18

strokes, MS, tumors, trauma, herniation, seizures

Question 19

what does an MRA look at?

Answer 19

vessels/circulation of blood

Question 20

what will be done before a PET scan?

Answer 20

2 IV lines inserted, pt cannot take sedatives, pt empty bladder

Question 20

what is a myelogram?

Answer 20

xray of spinal cord and vertebral column, injection of contrast into subarachnoid space

Question 21

what does a myelogram detect?

Answer 21

herniated/ruptured disc, spinal tumor

Question 22

before a myelogram

Answer 22

administer sedative, pt empty bladder, inform pt test performed on tilting table

Question 23

after myelogram

Answer 23

lie flat for a few hours, fluids, monitor neuro status and VS, headache/ nausea/vomiting may occur

Question 24

what does an electroencephalography evaluate?

Answer 24

seizure disorders, cerebral dz, brain injury, brain death

Question 25

EEG prep

Answer 25

-pt may be sleep deprived to increase chances of seizure
-withhold tranquilizers and stimulants 24-48 hrs before
-pt will still eat, altered BG level can change brain wave patterns
-remove all metal
-EEG takes 45-60 min
-no shock

Question 26

electromyography is useful in determining what

Answer 26

presence of neuromuscular disorders and myopathies

Question 27

how do they perform an EMG?

Answer 27

needle electrodes inserted into muscle to record motor units

Question 28

before a nerve conduction study

Answer 28

explain procedure - stimulus can be applied on surface of skin at peripheral nerves and speed of conduction is measured

Question 29

evoked potential is recorded by electrodes where?

Answer 29

skin and scalp

Question 30

evoked potential can be used to diagnose what?

Answer 30

MS

Question 31

what to do with ultrasound before?
(carotid artery duplex scan, transcranial doppler, biopsies)

Answer 31

explain procedure to pt