Neurological Assessment Flashcards
What does ABCDE stand for?
Airway Breathing Circulation Disability- AVPU, GCS etc Exposure
Why do we use neurological assessment?
Baseline readings
Monitor Deterioriation/Changes
Determine Neuro problems
Define Conciousness?
state of being awake and aware of what is happening around you and having a sense of self
How is conciousness assessed?
Concousness is observed by assessing a persons arousal and responsivesness.
What are the 5 states of conciousness?
Normal: aware of self and external environment, well orientated and responsive
Delirium: disorientated, restless, confused, hallucinating. Can be intermittent or alterante with other states.
Dementia: difficulties with spatial orentation, memory, lanuage, changes in personaity.
Somnolence: extreme drowsines but responsive to stimuli is normal
Chronic Vegetative State: concious but unresponsive, no evidence of cortical function.
How can Hypoxia affect conciousness?
Hypoxia is low Oxygen, a lack of oxygen to the brain can cause lack of conciousness. The brain and eyes are organs most sensitive to hypoxia and parts of the brain can only last 8 mins without oxygen.
What is the function of Cerebrospinal Fluid ( CSF)?
clear, colourless liquid that fills and surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and provides a mechanical barrier against shock.
Tranpsort metabolic waste , antibodies, chemicals and pathological products of desiease away from the brain and spinal cord tissue and into the blood stream.
Maintains pressure within cranium
What are some early symptoms of increased inter crainial pressure (ICP)?
Altered mental state, headache, projectile vomitig often with no nausea, pupillary changes, random eye movement, sudden restlessness or quietness.
What are some later signs of raised ICP?
Motor changes, raised BP, slow irregular pulse, seizures, sweating
What is Cushings Triad?
The body’s repsonse to raise ICP resulting in:
Increased BP
Decreased Resps
Decreased HR
This occurs once the medulla is compressed by the increase in ICP.
Describe AVPU and its use
AVPU is ised to test a persons conciousness and what it takes to arouse them A-Alert V- Responds to voice P- Responds to pain U- unresponsive
What are the four states of uncinciousness?
Asleep: can be aorused by normal stimuli ( noise, voice etc)
Stupor- can be aroused by extreme or repeated stimuli
Coma: cannot be aroused, doesnt respond to stimuli
Unconcious: categorised accoridng to reflec response to stimuli
How can speech be affected by neurlogical problems?` ( stroke)
Problems with word selection, pronouciation, use of words
How can a persons motor respnses be affected by neurlogical issues?
Posture, impaired baland and gait, abnormal involuntary movements/
