Neuro PCP presentations Flashcards
What are some important associated features to ask when is comes to muscle weakness?
Pain in region Neck or back pain Sensory changes Stroke stuff Cancer stuff Problems with urination or defecation
What’s “stroke stuff”?
Pins and needles
Vision changes
Slurred speech
Headache
What’s “cancer stuff”?
Night sweats
Weight loss
Anorexia
What are some important associated features to ask when it comes to sensory disturbances?
Stroke stuff
Cancer stuff
Diabetes stuff
Which of the LOCs can have a prodrome?
Vasovagal
Seizure
How can time course help differentiate causes of LOC?
Syncopes are usually less than 30s
Seizures can be 1-2 minutes
What are some important context questions with LOC?
Emotional event, hunger, stress
Lying, sitting or standing?
How can the period after recovery help differentiate causes of LOC?
Syncope usually has a rapid recovery
Vasovagals usually occur without injury
Seizures usually recovery slowly, can be confused, and exhausted/sleepy/achey
Why is site a useful feature in headache?
Most migraines (70%) are unilateral
Most tension-type headaches are bilateral
Why is quality a useful feature in headache?
Migraines tend to be dull throbbing or pulsating
What are some migraine associated features?
Nausea
Vomiting
Photophobia
Phonophobia
What are the 4 main types of dizziness?
Pre-syncope
Vertigo
Disequilibrium
Non-specific dizziness
What are the 2 important things to establish in weight loss?
Intentional vs unintentional
Increased vs decreased appetite
What sort of drugs could be an aggravating factor for weight loss?
Thyroxine
Ritaline
Recreational amphetamines
What are some important associated features for weight loss?
Cancer stuff
Dysphagia/odinophagia
Thyroid stuff
Gastro stuff
What’s “thyroid stuff”?
Nervousness Perspiration Palpitations Tremors More frequent bowel movements
What’s important to determine for site of muscle weakness?
The specific pattern of weakness:
- Uni- or bilateral
- Proximal/distal etc
What are two functional measures of severity of muscle weakness?
Difficulty with ADLs
Falls or other injuries
Muscle weakness:
Important context questions
Injury/surgery
Fever, travel, recent viral illness
Muscle weakness:
Important PHx questions
Cardiovascular risk factors
Medications (statins & steroids)
Sensory changes:
Important FHx questions
Diabetes
MS
Cancer
Muscle weakness:
Important FHx questions
Cancer
Other neurological disorders (MS)
Sensory changes:
Important PHx questions
Chickenpox
Diabetes
Alcohol
