Neurological Assessment Flashcards
Difference between apical pulse and peripheral pulse
PULSE DEFICIT
A type of assessment done to assess the degree of awareness and response to the environment
MENTAL STATE EXAM (MSE)
Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure
PULSE PRESSURE
Major areas in MSE
LOMAC:
- Language
- Orientation
- Memory
- Attention span & calculation
The most sensitive indication of nervous system function
- Degree of patient awareness
- Response to environment
It is the inability to express oneself by speech, writings or signs
APHASIA
Categories of aphasia
- Sensory/Receptive Aphasia - inability to comprehend written / spoken words
- Motor/ Expressive aphasia - inability to express oneself through writing, making signs, speaking
It is a condition where there is partial loss of language or difficulty comprehending language and speaking
DYSPHASIA
2 types of Sensory / Receptive Aphasia
- Auditory Aphasia
- Visual aphasia - lost ability to understand printed or written figures
Categories of Dysphasia
- Receptive dysphasia - impaired understanding of spoken words / difficulty comprehending / receiving language
- Expressive dysphasia - difficulty expressing themselves in words. Inability to initiate sounds
This condition occurs when there is loss of articulation, phonation, slurred or jerky speech, loss of control of muscle of lips, tongue, palate
DYSARTHRIA
How to assess orientation?
Determine client’s ability to recognize
- Other people (persons)
- Time & place (awareness)
- Self (own names)
This determines the clients ability to focus on a mental task that is expected to be able to be performed by individuals of normal intelligence
ATTENTION SPAN & CALCULATION
What are the types of memory recall? And elaborate
- Immediate - recall of information presented seconds previously
- Recent - events/info earlier in the day
- Remote - months/ years ago; retained in Alzheimer’s
Grading of LOC
I - conscious, coherent cognitive (3 C’s)
II- Confused, drowsy, lethargic , somnolent, obtunded
III - Stuporous
IV - Light to deep coma
Areas to apply pressure when assessing
- Suprasternal notch
- Trapezius pinch
- Fingertip pressure
Assessing muscle power. 2 types
- Paresis (weakness)
- Plegia (Paralysis)
Assessing muscle tone. 2 types
- Flaccidity (hypotonicity): weak & limp
- Rigidity (hypertonicity): stiff & tight
Types of paralysis and their meanings
- Hemiplegia - one side is affected (left or right)
- Monoplegia - one limb is affected (one arm or one leg)
- Paraplegia - lower extremities / both legs
- Quadriplegia - all 4 limbs
Assessing muscle volume. 2 types
- Atrophy (loss of muscle volume)
- Hypertrophy (increased muscle volume)
Assessing movement 2 types
- Bradykinesia - slow movement
- Akinesia - inability to perform voluntary movements
What is the normal pupil size?
Normal = 3-4 mm
Constricted = 1 mm
Dilated = 5 mm
