Neurological Screening Flashcards
What is the purpose of dermatome testing?
to determine if sensory loss fits a dermatomal or peripheral nerve pattern
Area of skin that a single spinal nerve root innervates; Relays sensory information back to the brain from a specific area of skin
Dermatome
Group of muscles that a single spinal nerve root innervates
Myotome
When testing a myotome, how many seconds does the patient have to hold the position?
5 seconds
Resistance of muscle to passive elongation or stretch; Resistance increases with increasing amplitude and velocity of passive stretch
Spacticity
cue - “relax, let me move you”
velocity dependent
What diagnoses do you most often see spasticity?
CP, TBI, MS, SCI, Stroke
What would a 0 on the modified ash worth scale indicate?
No increase in muscle tone
What would a 1 on the modified ash worth scale indicate?
Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch and release or by minimal resistance at the end of the range of motion when the affected part(s) is moved in flexion or extension
What would a 1+ on the modified ash worth scale indicate?
Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch, followed by minimal resistance throughout the remainder (less than half) of the ROM
What would a 2 on the modified ash worth scale indicate?
More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM, but affected part(s) easily moved
What would a 3 on the modified ash worth scale indicate?
Considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult
What would a 4 on the modified ash worth scale indicate?
Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension
How should you test for spasticity?
Passive motion and speed up as you go
- If testing a muscle that primarily flexes a joint, place the joint in a maximally flexed position and move to a position of maximal extension over one second (count “one thousand one”)
- Compare right/left and upper/lower
