Neurological Function and Assessment

Question 1

What is included in a physical assessment for neurological function of a patient?

Answer 1

Identify risk factors for altered health during the physical assessment by:
*routine measurement of temp (T), pulse (HR), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP)
*level of consciousness (LOC)
*pupillary Activity and response
*orientation (P, P, T)
*AVPU (Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive)
*Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) calculation

Question 2

Explain the Glasgow Coma Scale for neurological assessments

Answer 2

Eye Opening (1-4 points)
Verbal Response (1-5 points)
Motor Response (1-6 points)

The total score ranges from 3 to 15, with lower scores indicating more severe impairment of consciousness

Question 3

Explain the AVPU assessment and when it would be used

Answer 3

A: Alert – The patient is fully awake and aware.
V: Verbal – The patient responds to verbal stimuli but may not be fully alert.
P: Pain – The patient responds to painful stimuli but does not respond to verbal cues.
U: Unresponsive – The patient does not respond to any stimuli, either verbal or painful.

Used for: initial assessment that quickly determines consciousness