Neurological examination additionals

Question 1

What do you need to ask in a mental status assessment?

Answer 1

• Time
• Place
• Person

Question 2

What do you need to comment on during mental status assessment?

Answer 2

• Appearance
• Behaviour
• cognition
• thought processes
• long and short term memory
• speech: coherent, clear, fluent, relaxed
• eye contact
• level of alertness and cooperation

Question 3

What is CN I’s function?

Answer 3

olfactory - sensory (hand sanitiser test)

Question 4

What is CN V’s function?

Answer 4

trigeminal - mixed (cotton wool over nerve, clench teeth and try to pull jaw down)

Question 5

What is CN VII’s function?

Answer 5

facial - mixed (symmetrical smile, raise eyebrows)

Question 6

What are CN IX, X, and XII’s functions?

Answer 6

glossopharyngeal, vagus, and hypoglossal - mixed (“argh” test, tongue out, medially aligned with no tremor)

Question 7

What is CN XI’s function?

Answer 7

spinal accessory - motor (shrug and turning head to each side)

Question 8

What are the 2 tests involved in cerebellar function - gait?

Answer 8

normal gait and tandem walk

Question 9

What should you comment on during normal gait?

Answer 9

smooth, coordinated, rhythmic, and effortless
no ataxia, no stroke gait, no parkinsonian gait

Question 10

What should you comment on during tandem walk?

Answer 10

coordination and balance

Question 11

What is involved in the Romberg test?

Answer 11

pt. closes eyes and stands still