neurological assessment Flashcards
what do spinal nerves innervate?
dermatomes
reasons to conduct a neuro assessment could be…
headache
head injury
dizziness/vertigo
tremors
seizures
weakness
incoordination
numbness or tingling
difficulty swallowing or talking
components of the neurological examination
vital signs
level of consciousness
communication/speech
orientation
motor
sensory pain
pupillary reaction
deep tendon reflexes
aphasia
loss of language function
babinski sign
dorsiflexion of the foot with extension and splaying of the toes in response to the plantar reflex, normally suppressed by corticospinal input (toes should bend down)
paresis
partial loss of or impaired voluntary muscle control
sensation
nervous function that recieves info from environment and translates it into electrical signals
what is a dermatome
a sensory area of skin related to the spinal cord segment and nerve
dermatome landmarks
axilla - T1
nipple - T4
umbilicus - T10
groin - L1
knee - L4
glasgow coma scale
standardized objective assessment defining LOC by giving it a numerical value
lowest and highest scores for glasgow coma scale
lowest score possible - 3
normal/highest - 15
coma - 8 or less
decerebrate and decorticate posturing are signs of…
brain death, the brain can no longer distinguish where pain is coming from
decorticate posturing
damage to corticospinal tracts, movement inward and toward the core
decerebrate posturing
damage to the brain stem results in movement outward
AVPU of mental status assessment
alert, verbal, pain, unresponsive
conscious M/S testing
direct commands
assess muscle strength against resistance
assess gait and speech
unconscious M/S testing
observe for spontaneous mvmt
assess resistance to mvmt
assess response to painful stimuli (trapezius, sternal rub)
deep tendon reflex
Romberg’s test assesses…
proprioception by having patient stand with eyes closed and maintain balance
Romberg’s test results
positive = loss of balance
negative = maintain balance
suggests ataxia (poor muscle control) is sensory in nature
what tests can assess cerebellar function
balance tests, coordination and skilled movements (RAM)
RAM test
patient pats knees with front and back of hands, finger to finger tests (tremors)
diadochokinesia
ability to perform RAM
dysdiadochokinesis
slow, irregular, clumsy movements