Neurological Examination

Question 1

What is clonus and what would it indicate?

Answer 1

Spasticity of the foot when rapidly dorsiflexed

Indicates upper motor neuron pathology

Question 2

How would the reflexes differ between an upper and lower motor neuron lesion?

Answer 2

Upper motor neuron lesion - reduced/absent

Lower motor neuron lesion - increased/brisk

Question 3

What is the babinski response and what does it suggest?

Answer 3

When the big toe goes up in response to the plantar reflex

Indicates upper motor neuron lesion

Question 4

How is muscle power graded?

Answer 4

0 - no muscle contraction
1 - flicker of contraction but no movement
2 - movement when gravity eliminated (can move side to side on bed)
3 - movement against gravity but not against resistance
4 - movement against resistance but weaker than expected
5 - normal power

Question 5

What would pronator drift sign indicate?

Answer 5

UMN lesion in the pyramidal tract

Question 6

Name the upper and lower limb dermatomes (point to where they are as you say them)

Answer 6

Upper limb: C5, C6, C7, C8, T1, T2

Lower limb: L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, S1