Chapter 44 - Neuro Assessment

Question 1

Health History Approaches

Answer 1

Use a combination of techniques
Establish rapport
Open ended questions
Closed ended questions
Ensure privacy
Give time between questions

Question 2

Neurological Assessment

Answer 2

Health History

Physical Assessment

Question 3

Pertinent History

Answer 3

Age, sex and occupation of the patient
Past medical history (stroke, heart disease)
Medication history
Family and social history (elicit drugs, alcohol, smoking)
Activities of daily living
Sensory deficits
Time of onset, duration and associated symptoms (numbness, tingling, headache, dizziness)

Question 4

Physical Assessment

Answer 4

Cerebral function
Cranial nerve function*
Cerebellar function
Motor function
Sensory function
Reflexes

Question 5

Physical Assessment

Answer 5

Level of Consciousness
Awake
Asleep
Lethargic
Stuporous  
Coma (Glasgow Coma Scale)
Level of Awareness
Person
Place
Time
Situation

Question 6

Memory

Answer 6

Short-term
Series of numbers forward and backward (2,4,6,8 then 8,6,4,2)
Long-term
Past events such as; “When was your last birthday?” or “What did you do before nursing school?”

Question 7

Abstract Reasoning

Answer 7

Have a patient explain a proverb to test intellectual ability
“Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you”

Question 8

Language

Answer 8

Aphasia-language ability impairment

Dysphasia

Expressive Aphasia

Receptive Aphasia

Global Aphasia

Question 9

Motor Function

Answer 9

Strength

Balance and Gait

Motor function and Coordination

Question 10

Reflexes

Answer 10

Deep tendon reflexes are tested using a reflex hammer 
Sitting or supine
Graded on a scale 
0=
1+=
2+=
3+=
4+=

Question 11

Normal Age Variations

Answer 11

Older adult
Possibly slower thought processes
Decreased sensory ability
Gait may be slower, wider base, and flexed hips and knees (strength)
May become easily confused
Decreased reflex responses
Altered coordination
Decreased DTR’s (deep tendon reflexes)