Neurological Assessment

Question 1

europhia

Answer 1

affective state in which a person experiences pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness

Question 2

Anosmia

Answer 2

the absence of the sense of smell

olfactory nerve I

Question 3

what is the senile chart used for?

Answer 3

to test distance in vision

Question 4

Retrobulbar neuritis

Answer 4

inflammatory process of the optic nerve behind the eyeball

-multiple sclerosis= most common cause
optic nerve II

Question 5

Papilledema

Answer 5

or choked disc
- swelling of the optic nerve as it enters the retina –> indicative of brain tumours, or intracranial hemorrhage
(Optic Nerve II)

Question 6

Optic atrophy

Answer 6

produces a change in the colour of the optic disc and decreased visual acuity (Optic nerve II)

Question 7

Nystagmus

Answer 7

constant involuntary movement of the eyeball

Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducens III, IV, VI

Question 8

Diplopia

Answer 8

double vision

Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducens III, IV, VI

Question 9

Ptosis of Lid

Answer 9

a dropped lid- related to weakness of muscles

Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducens III, IV, VI

Question 10

fasciculations

Answer 10

fine rapid eye movement

Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducens III, IV, VI

Question 11

Tinnitus

Answer 11

perception of noise or ringing in the ears

vestibulocochlear nerve VIII

Question 12

Weber Test

Answer 12

uses tuning fork, provides lateralization of sound

vestibulocochlear nerve VIII

Question 13

Rinne Test

Answer 13

uses tuning fork, compares bone conduction of sound with air conduction
(vestibulocochlear nerve VIII)

Question 14

Romberg Test- Abnormal Result?

Answer 14

assesses coordination and equilibrium = feet together, does the client sway with eyes closed and opened?
((vestibulocochlear nerve VIII)
-feet together/arms at side
-if swaying greatly increases when eyes are closed= disease of posterior columns of the spinal cord

Question 15

Dysphagia

Answer 15

difficulty swallowing

-related to cranial nerve disease
glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves IX, X

Question 16

Tandem

Answer 16

walking heel to toe

Question 17

Finger-to-nose test- Abnormal Result?

Answer 17

-pass-point test
assess coordination and equilibrium
-with eyes closed–> reaches beyond tip of nose–> client with cerebellar disease (sense of position is affected)

Question 18

Alternative for pass-point test

Answer 18

have client touch nice with index finger and then touch that finger to the finger of the nurse

Question 19

Test for rapid alternating action- Abnormal Result?

Answer 19

turning hands/palms up and down rapidly

-inability to perform this task could indicate upper motor neuron weakness

Question 20

Heel-to-shin Test - Abnormal Result?

Answer 20

client slides heel along the shinbone to the ankle

-inability to perform this test could indicate disease of the posterior spinal tract

Question 21

Testing Motor Function Tests what part of the brain?

Answer 21

activities of the cerebellum

Question 22

Testing the Sensory Functions Tests what parts of the neurological aspects?

Answer 22

• peripheral nerves
• sensory tract
• cortical level of discrimination

Question 23

Anaesthesia

Answer 23

inability to perceive the sense of touch

Question 24

Hyperesthesia

Answer 24

increased sensation to touch

Question 25

Hypoesthesia

Answer 25

decreased but not absent sensation from touch

Question 26

Analgesia

Answer 26

the absence of pain sensation

-result from neurological disease, circulatory problems- peripheral vascular disease

Question 27

Hypalgesia

Answer 27

decreased pain sensation

-result from neurological disease, circulatory problems- peripheral vascular disease

Question 28

What does the inability to perceive vibrations indicate?

Answer 28

neuropathy (damage to nerves) –> with aging, diabetes, intoxications, posterior column disease

Question 29

Stereognosis, Inability?

Answer 29

the ability to identify an object without seeing it

-indicate cortical disease

Question 30

Graphesthesia, Inability?

Answer 30

the ability to perceive writing on the skin

(write number on clients palm–> get them to tell you what it is)

-cortiocal disease

Question 31

Topognosis

Answer 31

the ability of the client to identify an area of the body that has been touched

Question 32

which dermatomes are you testing with the bicep reflex? and brachioradialis reflex?

Answer 32

C5 and C6

Question 33

which dermatomes are you testing with the tricep reflex?

Answer 33

C6 and C7

Question 34

which dermatomes are you testing with the patellar (knee) reflex?

Answer 34

L2, L3, L4

Question 35

which dermatomes are you testing with the achilles tendon (ankle) reflex?

Answer 35

S1

Question 36

which dermatomes are you testing with the plantar reflex?

Answer 36

L5 and S1

Question 37

Babinski response

Answer 37

fanning of the toes with the big toe pointing toward the dorsum of foot (point up) = abnormal in adults

Normal for children until about 2 years of age

Question 38

Meningeal Assessment

Answer 38

client to flex the neck by bringing the chin down to touch the chest

• degree range of motion, presence of pain
• should be able to flex the neck about 45 degrees without pain

Question 39

Brudzinski’s sign

Answer 39

• used when client complains of pain and has a decrease in the flexion motion during the meningeal assessment
• assist client with neck flexion–> watch legs
• positive sign when neck flexion causes flexion of the legs and thighs

Question 40

nuchal rigidity

Answer 40

or stiffness of the neck= when the meningeal membranes are irritated or inflamed as in meningitis

Question 41

Syncope

Answer 41

brief loss of consciousness and is usually sudden

Question 42

Coma

Answer 42

prolonged state of unconsciousness

Question 43

astereognosis

Answer 43

unable to identify objects

Question 44

agraphesthesia

Answer 44

unable to identify what is drawn on hand