Week 2 Flashcards
Dr Cynthia Honan is an endorsed clinical neuropsychologist. Her role involves receiving referrals from medical professionals such as neurologists to assist them with: (4)
- differential diagnosis
- cognitive, behavioural and psychological profile
- recommendations and strategies
- define a person’s prognosis
What are some reasons as to why it is important for people to undertake a neuropsychological assessment?
- diagnosis
- classification
- problem definition
- treatment formulation
- treatment evaluation
- performance evaluation
- medicolegal evidence
What happens in the research phase after you receive the referral? What things are you researching about the patients potential disorders?
- behaviours
- physical limitations
- cognitive profile
- everyday functioning
- Support services
- Treatment services
Preliminary information gathering on a patient before assessment can be gathered from:
- school
- family
- prior neuropsychological assessment
- radiology reports
In a T1 weighted MRI, water substances appear as____, while fatty substances appear as ___
- dark
2. bright
In a T2 weighted MRI, water substances appear as____, while fatty substances appear as ___
- bright
2. dark
CT use ____ to obtain brain images.
x-rays
What happens during a clinical interview?
- observe behaviour
- understand what the person was like beforehand
- reconstruction of clinical issues and history
- may not be “true” as they may not be aware of their issues
Additional information (history) can increase ____ and _____ to the testing you do.
sensitivity
specificity
What is sensitivity?
the probability that a test correctly identifies a clinical category given that they actually do have it
What is specificity?
The probability that the test correctly detects or classifies normal performance. (pretty much the opposite of sensitivity)
What is a good first thing to ask in a clinical interview?
“Do you know why you are here today”
Then followup with basic demographic data and historical information. This helps to examine the state they are in.
Why is it important to gather self-reported cognitive functioning?
- helps to establish insight into difficulties
- helps to guide what tests need to be administered
- calrify the domain or cognition that is affected, when they are affected and where they are affected.
Do we start with broad or narrow questioning in a clinical interview?
Broad. Then go further with more probing questions.
What kind of factors ensure the best performance possible?
Internal factors (anxiety) External factors (phone off, lights right, lengthy session, mindful of what comes last)
Why is important to get a handle on what a persons motivation or alertness is in testing?
- Because it will greatly affect the test results.
- Might be hidden motivation (compensation claims)
- Try and motivate your patients in an alert state
What are some behavioural observations we can make in psychological assessment?
- are they trying hard?
- working too quickly, errors
- downgrading themselves
Why are record keeping and note taking important in assessment?
Because you will forget it. Can take a recording instead (need consent)
What importance does test procedure and standards/administration have? What kinds of tests do we need?
- normative data
- standardised (published)
- be mindful of feedback, don’t tell them how they are doing
- encouragement
How important is test scoring? What does this involve?
- score during administration
- don’t let person see answers
- refer ot test manual
- accurate results
What is important to take into consideration regarding special needs in testing?
- Standardised tests are usually for those with at least decent functioning
- glasses
- hearing
What is premorbid functioning in psychological assessment?
Functioning prior to the assessment
