Neurological Assessment & Physical Evaluation (not on midterm)

Question 1

Physical Evaluation includes:

Answer 1

• skin colour
• skin temp
• breathing
• level of consciousness (LOC)

Question 2

Skin Colour

Answer 2

• easiest way to recognize change
• look for cyanosis (blue skin colour)
• caused by lack of oxygen in tissues
• easily seen on mucous membranes (lips and lining of mouth)
• if ppt is pale and anxious and say they “do not feel well”, the tech should NOT leave the pt

Question 3

Skin Temperature

Answer 3

• contact through touch also allows ongoing physical observation
• acute will pt in pain is likely place, cool and sweaty
• hot, dry skin may indicate fever
• moist skin may only be a response to the environment

Question 4

Breathing

Answer 4

• changes may signal onset of serious distress
• NORMAL breathing is quiet and calm
• ABNORMAL breathing is audible, wheezing, gasping or coughing
• sudden onset of rapid, shallow breathing is usually first sign of respiratory distress

Question 5

LOC (Level of consciousness)

Answer 5

• alert and responsive
• drowsy but responsive
• unconscious but reactive to painful stimuli
• comatose

Question 6

When communicating with a pt who is drowsy or in stupor, REMEMBER:

Answer 6

1. They cannot be relied on to remember instructions

2. They are not responsible for their actions or answers

Question 7

Glasgow Coma Scale

Answer 7

-used to asses the LOC and reaction stimuli in a neurologically impaired pt
Categories:
1. Eye opening: score 1-4
2. Verbal response: score 1-5
3. Motor response: score 1-6
-highest score is 15, lower scores predict poorer outcomes

Question 8

Signs of increased intracranial pressure

Answer 8

• pt becomes irritable
• pt becomes lethargic
• pts pulse slows down and their rate of respiration decreases

Question 9

Pts physical environment includes

Answer 9

• temp
• humidity
• lighting
• ventilation
• colour of surroundings
• noise