Neurological Assessment Slides 41-61

Question 1

Reflexes

Answer 1

Deep tendon
Superficial

Question 2

Deep tendon

Answer 2

Grading scale 0-4+
Compare bilaterally
Biceps, brachioradialis, triceps, patellar, achilles

Question 3

Superficial

Answer 3

Abdominal
Plantar (Negative Babinski)
Cremasteric

Question 4

Reflex Charting

Answer 4

4+ - Hyperactive, commonly with clonus
Clonus

Question 5

continued movement after stimulations removed

Answer 5

Clonus

Question 6

Biceps Reflex

Answer 6

Support the client’s forearm
Client’s arm flexed at 45-90 degree angle
Hold arm loosely
Strike tendon with a brisk wrist motion on top of your thumb

Question 7

Triceps Reflex

Answer 7

Relaxed arm required.
extension of the forearm.

Question 8

Patellar Reflex

Answer 8

Sit on edge of table with leg hanging free.

Place hand over quadriceps muscle

Strike patellar tendon just below the patella – blunt end of hammer

Question 9

Achilles Reflex

Answer 9

Loosely support foot in hand.
Briskly strike Achilles tendon.
Plantar flexion of the foot.

Question 10

Plantar Reflex

Answer 10

Stroke up the lateral side of the sole & across the ball of the foot to just below the great toe.
Plantar flexion of the toes, normal response.

Question 11

Meningeal Irritation

Answer 11

Nuchal rigidity
Severe pain, spasms and resistance with gentle neck flexion

Kernig’s sign
Thigh on abdomen, knee flexed to 90 degrees, resistance with pain

Brudzinski’s sign
Chin to chest – involuntary hip flexion and pain

Question 12

Neurosurgery Considerations

Answer 12

Assess for increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
-Level of consciousness (LOC)
-Motor function
-Pupillary response
-Vital signs

Following an ICU stay of several days, client will normally be confused about the date.

Question 13

is needed to conduct the impulses and the neurons of a newborn are not completely myelinated.
Several unique reflexes that extinguish at different times during infancy.

Answer 13

Myelin

Question 14

occurs with CNS damage for newborns

Answer 14

High-pitched, shrill cry (cat-like screech

Question 15

this reflexstarts when the corner of the baby’s mouth is stroked or touched. The baby will turn his or her head and open his or her mouth to follow and root in the direction of the stroking.

Answer 15

Rooting

Question 16

When something touches a baby’s palate, he or she starts to suck it.

Answer 16

Sucking

Question 17

stroking the palm of a baby’s hand causes the baby to close his or her fingers in agrasp.

Answer 17

Palmar Grasp

Question 18

it is a normal reflex for an infant when he or she is startled or feels like they are falling. The infant will have a startled look and the arms will fling out sideways with the palms up and the thumbs flexed.

Answer 18

Moro

Question 19

when a baby’s head is turned to one side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends up at the elbow.

Answer 19

Tonic Neck-

Question 20

occurs after the sole of the foot has been firmly stroked. The big toe then moves upward or toward the top surface of the foot.

Answer 20

Babinski