Neurologic Exam

Question 1

What is a neurologic exam?

Answer 1

Systematic eval of all parts of the neuro system by eval the clinical responses and movements of the animal

Question 2

Why perform a neurologic exam? (2)

Answer 2

1. Localize abnormal areas of the neuro system
2. Monitor improvement or decline in neuro function

Question 3

What are the parts of the neuro system? (3)

Answer 3

1. Brain (CNS)
   - Mental function
   - Control of body function
2. Spinal cord (PNS)
   - Local function
   - Comm to brain
3. Peripheral nerves (PNS)
   - Cranial nerves
   - Spinal nerves

Question 4

What are the 5 (or 6) major components of a neuro exam?

Answer 4

1. Mentation stat
2. Gait & Posture
3. Cranial nerve exam
4. Postural reactions
5. Spinal reactions

Question 5

Types of mentation status (7)

Answer 5

1. BAR
2. QAR
3. Dull: aware of envir, but blunted response
4. Disoriented/stupor: aware of envir, but inappropriate response
5. Obtunded: will only respond to v strong stim
6. Coma: will not respond to stim
7. Depressed

Question 6

What is a cranial nerve exam?

Answer 6

1. A series of tests to eval the sensory and motor function of the 12 cranial nerves
2. Abnormalities can locate the problem to a very specific portion of the brain

Question 7

Examples of cranial nerve exam (2)

Answer 7

1. Palpebral reflex arc: light tap on the medial canthus of the eye produces a blink of the eyelids
2. Pupillary light reflex (PLR): normal response to shining light in the eye of an animal is for the iris in both eyes to constrict

Question 8

Gait & Posture is an eval of… (3)

Answer 8

Evaluation of the…
1. Cerebellum & vestibular centers of brain
2. Spinal cord
3. Musculoskeletal system

Question 9

Conscious Proprioception (CP) exam is gently placing the toes of each foot on the ____.
Normal reaction: ___
Abnormal: ___
Severely abnormal: ___

Answer 9

Ground

Norm: Animal will immediately return foot to plantar/palmar placement
Abnorm: Slow to correct
Severely abnorm: Animal will not correct

Question 10

T/F: Postural Reactions are tests of the complex recognition of body location in the envir & appropriate responses to the situation

Answer 10

True!

Question 11

Five postural reaction tests

Answer 11

1. Conscious proprioception
2. Hemiwalking
3. Hopping
4. Wheelbarrowing
5. Postural thrust

Question 12

Spinal reflexes check the function of the spinal cord at a ___ site. It does not eval if spinal messages are perceived by the ___.

Answer 12

1. Specific site
2. Brain

Question 13

Three spinal reflex tests

Answer 13

1. Myotatic reflex (hammer test)
2. Withdrawal reflex (deep pain)
3. Crossed-extensor