Neuro Exam Intro Flashcards
What are the primary reasons for conducting a neurologic examination?
To identify impairments, understand their impact on functional tasks, test hypotheses/differential diagnosis, guide prognosis, and identify red flags or need for referral.
What are the key components of a neurologic examination?
Patient observation, patient history, review of systems, and tests and measures.
Why is patient observation critical in a neurologic exam?
It provides important information about the remainder of the examination and subsequent intervention, including the quality and quantity of patient’s movement.
What details are obtained during the patient history in a neuro exam?
Age, gender, level of education, marital status, health risk factors, comorbidities, current medications, present/past medical history, social history, functional status, symptom progression, and cognitive status.
What is the ICF Model used for in physical therapy practice?
It provides a framework for understanding and categorizing health conditions and patient problems.
What factors influence patient prognosis?
Progressive nature of pathology, extent of pathology, age-related neural plasticity, comorbidities, acuity of disorder, prior level of physical function, sensation, arousal, orientation, attention, motivation, social/family support, and recent trends of recovery.
Why perform a neurologic examination?
To identify impairments, understand their impact on functional tasks and activities, test hypotheses, guide prognosis, and identify red flags or need for referral.
What are primary impairments?
Direct consequences of the pathology affecting the nervous system.
What are secondary impairments?
Abnormal changes in structure or function as a consequence of the initial pathology, aging, or lifestyle choices.
What is included in the review of systems?
- Cardiovascular/pulmonary
- Musculoskeletal
- Neuromuscular, GI, endocrine, language, cognition, and learning styles.
How do patient observation and history help in choosing standardized outcome data?
They provide context on the patient’s functional status, cognitive status, clinical setting, chief concerns, and goals for recovery.
What are the reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity in tests and measures?
Reliability refers to consistency, validity to accuracy, sensitivity to true positive rate, and specificity to true negative rate.
What is the goal of structuring a neuro exam?
To confirm the integrity of nervous system components and evaluate areas with known or suspected dysfunctions.
What should be done if the patient has no prior diagnosis?
Perform a neuro screen exam after completion of the patient’s history to rule in or rule out the need for an in-depth neuro exam.
What is the importance of looking for patterns in neuro exams?
Patterns help in identifying abnormalities amidst normal findings, ensuring accurate diagnosis.
What aspects are assessed in the mental status component of a neuro exam?
Arousal/level of consciousness, attention, orientation, and memory.
What is evaluated in cranial nerve testing?
Function of the cranial nerves to identify impairments affecting sensory and motor functions.
What is involved in motor testing during a neuro exam?
Active range of motion (AROM), passive range of motion (PROM), muscle tone, and strength.
What is the purpose of deep tendon reflex testing?
To assess the integrity of the reflex arc and neuromuscular function.
What is the focus of sensory testing in a neuro exam?
To evaluate the patient’s ability to perceive and respond to sensory stimuli.
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What does coordination testing involve?
Assessing the patient’s ability to perform smooth, controlled movements.
What is evaluated during stance and gait assessment?
The patient’s posture, alignment, balance, and walking pattern.
What role does perception testing play in a neuro exam?
To identify issues with interpreting sensory information.
What is a neuro screen exam?
A brief examination to rule in or out the need for a detailed neuro exam based on initial findings.
What is the purpose of sample neuro exams?
To provide a framework for conducting comprehensive neuro evaluations.
Why is it important to use multiple clinical tests in a neuro exam?
To gather comprehensive information regarding the integrity of the nervous system.
How should the neuro exam be structured?
To emphasize patient-centered care, considering the task and environment.
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Why is understanding the patient’s current functional status important?
It helps in setting realistic treatment goals and developing effective intervention strategies.
What should be considered when evaluating the patient’s cognitive status?
Whether the patient’s cognition is intact, or if they are confused, disoriented, or have difficulty following directions.
Why is the clinical setting important in a neuro exam?
The setting affects the type of interventions and support available, influencing the patient’s recovery process.
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What should be included in a comprehensive neuro exam?
Mental status, cranial nerves, motor testing, deep tendon reflexes, sensory testing, balance tests, coordination testing, stance and gait assessment, and perception.
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How does a patient’s support system influence their prognosis?
Support from family or caregivers can enhance recovery and adherence to treatment plans.
