Neurological Flashcards
change in behavior…
that might indicate delirium, such as confusion, disorientation, or restlessness.
what do you need to do for mental status?
what should you ask a patient when determining if a patient is alert
Person : Tell me your name.
Place: Where are you at?
Time: What month is it, or what season is it?
Situation: Do you know why you’re here?
what is required to know when level of awareness?
Fully awake, responding to verbal stimuli, able to follow commands
Person, Place, Time, Situation
Normal = Alert and oriented x4
Fully awake
responds to all stimuli
able to follow verbal commands
may not be fully oriented, though
alert
drowsy or asleep most of the time
can be awaken by gentle shaking, saying name
makes spontaneous mvmt
forgetful
delayed response to verbal commands
lethargic
extreme drowsiness
minimally
responsive
barely follow commands
vigorous stimulation to awaken
difficult staying awake
obtunded
unconscious most of the time
no sponyaneous mvmt
awaken briefly only with repeated vigorous stimulation
responds in groans, moans
responds to painful stimuli with purposeful mvmt
semi-comatose
no response to verbal or painful stimuli
cannot be awaken, does not speak
some reflexes may be present
decorticate position OR…
decerbrate position
comatose
posture is considered abnormal extension see the top picture where the arms and legs are extended, and the wrists are pronated with the fingers and feet flexed.
Decerebrate
posture is abnormal flexion see the bottom picture where the arms are pulled inward and the elbows, wrists, and fingers are flexed.
Decorticate
when should you use the glasgow coma scale (gcs)?
if patient displays a lowered state consciousness
there are three categories
1. eye opening
2. verbal response
3. best motor response
what do the score of the gcs scale imply?
The higher the total score, the better the neurological function. A GCS of 13 to 15 = mild brain injury; 9 to 12 = moderate brain injury; 8 or less = severe brain injury.
what two places can you assess appearance and behavior?
can be part of the general survey or neurological assessment
what should you assess when determining appearance and behavior
eye contact
behavior appropriate to the conversation and situation
good hygiene and dressed appropriately for the weather
speech is articulate and appropriate
what should a pt’s speech normally sounds like?
inflections (not monotone), is clear, strong, has appropriate volume, flows well, is spontaneous, and articulate (coherent)
what does abnormal speech sounds like?
may be slow, rapid, soft, loud, or unclear. It may also be ineffective with hesitancy, misuse of words, or have missing or added letters and words.
what is aphasia
ineffective speech; when a person loses the ability to understand or express speech. This is caused by brain damage from an injury or disease
what is broca’s aphasia? motor or expressive aphasia
motor or expressive aphasia:
The patient cannot speak or write appropriately because they because they have trouble producing the speech or they have trouble finding the right words. They still understand the written and verbal speech but are unable to express it.
what is wernicke’s aphasia?
sensory or receptive aphasia; where the pt cannot understand written words or speech; they can speak but often use made up words or have word salad (mixing up random words or phrases)
what is global aphasia?
where the pt lacks both expressive and receptive language
what should you do to determine a pt immediate recall?
repeating a series of numbers
what should you do to determine a recent memory?
3 unrelated objects or “what did you have for breakfast?”
what should you do to determine a remote (past) memory?
what is your birthday
ask the patient what they know about their illness. This will help you determine their ability to understand or learn.
knowledge
you will be assessing the patient’s ability to interpret abstract ideas or concepts. Have them explain common phrases like, “Don’t Count your chickens before they are hatched.”
abstract thinking
when assessing abstracting thinking what should you keep in mind?
A patient with altered mental status might interpret this literally or just repeat the words. Just make sure there isn’t a cultural barrier to their understanding the phrase.
Name simple, related concepts and have the patient identify how they are associated. This tests higher levels of cognitive functioning.
association
what is an association example
carrot is to a vegetable as apple is to fruit
Try to measure the patient’s ability to make logical decisions and conclusions with questions like “What would you do if you became ill at home?” Normally a patient will make a logical decision.
judgement
what is the CN 1
olfactory; sense of smell