Neurological History Taking Flashcards
name their 4 times of onset and their time frame from the beginning of symptom onset
sudden - abruptly
acute - peaks within a week
subacute 1-4 weeks
insidious - over a month to peak
if the problem is intermittent, what should also be found out?
character duration frequency severity exacerbating factors
when looking at “T” of socrates what should be explored?
if the problem is seasonal, diurnal, nocturnal
what should be asked in FHx?
do they have any hereditary disease usual Qs - cancer etc movement disorers migraine epilepsy CVD myopathy cerebellar disease family size
what social Hx q’s are especially important in neuro?
JOB driving education level exotic travel history stress/alcohol/caffeine - any triggers? smoking - CVD
what systems are relevant to cover in systemic enquiry?
ear eg dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss
cardio
gait, balance, coordination
EYE eg visual loss etc
general neuro questions to always ask?
fatigue sleeping tremor numbness/tingling eye problems gait memory dizziness seizures speech problems
what precipitating factors should be asked in a chronic headache patient?
alcohol
sleep deprivation
foods
bright light
what alleviating factors should be asked in a chronic headache patient?
rest/quiet
dark room
activity
medications
most important PMH question in someone presenting with neuro deficit
RECENT TRAUMA
PMH q’s to ask in someone with back and leg pain?
Hx of disc herniation, surgery or previous back pain
screen q’s for cauda equina?
bladder
bowel
sexual dysfunction
how should a seizure/syncopal history be structured?
timing of attack patient's recollection where? what happened after? body position before attack any triggers? tonic/clonic activity symptoms after the event time to recover finish with collateral Hx
PMH q’s in a patient with memory loss?
thyroid disease anaemia B12 STD HIV risk factors head trauma vascular problems
systemic enquiry q’s for a patient with memory loss?
smell/taste problems balance walking bladder control headache depressive symptoms
