Exam 2 Week 5 Seale Content Flashcards
(160 cards)
what is the purpose of doing a neuro exam
it is a systemic investigation to see what systems are working well, what systems have impairments and limitations, or limit activity. we use the neuro exam to screen and investigate.
when do we use a screening exam
not when we suspect neurological involvement, but to confirm that the NS in intact.
now, a neuro exam is used…
to dive a little deeper. we know there is an issue, the screen uncovered an abnormality but we don’t know where it is.
the neuro exam provides the basis for
the evaluation
what is the evaluation
cerebral process and resulting clinical judgement
what is our end goal
to ID the patients functional limitations and impairments, activity restrictions
how do we use the deductive process with all of this
identify what their limitations are (observation or self report)
hypothesize possible impairments, that you want to examine in more detail
examine the impairments with good tests and measures.
how does neuroanatomy come in
we want to look at the limitations, and hypothesize the location of the lesion, and confirm the extend of the lesion.
what is the difference between a primary and secondary impairment
primary: signs and symptoms that are direct result of disease or pathology (stroke)
secondary: abnormal changes in the structure and function as a consequence of the pathology (since the stroke, they have this deviation)
which impairments, primary or secondary, do we try to intervene in more
secondary, we don’t want them happening. its really hard to intervene in the first.
talk through the example of primary and secondary impairments, after a SCI (Fell table 3.1)
primary: paralysis of muscles, spasticity, sensory deficits below the lesion of the SC. also, bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction.
secondary: range of motion deficits, muscle wasting, impaired endure, aerobic conditioning.
functional limitation: needs assistance, limited locomotion
why is the correct identification and categorization of impairments crucial
to select the correct intervention. we do not want to give them the whole kitchen sink treatment
describe how the neuro exam is an ongoing process, and what should be at its center
the patient should be at the center. We are continually observing, determining if our hypothesis are correct, confirming impairments, and ID limitation and then doing interventions.
what four things comprise the neuro exam
we want to observe the patient, get their history, review relevant systems (ROS), and do appropriate tests and measures.
TF: observation is key throughout. why
yes. we need to be able to key in on big things. watch how they move. we always want to watch their every move, from car, to waiting room. you often pick up on more when they do not think you are watching.
when does patient observation begin
the moment we see the patient, as soon as they walk into the clinic, or get out of the car.
what are we looking for when we observe the patient
quality and quantity of movement.
what is the foundation of the exam, and what happens here
history. where we establish rapport.
can we 100% rely on the referral diagnosis
no we cannot, want to see that what we find lines up with it
what must we ID in the history
health risk factors, health restoration and prevention (preventing a second stroke) needs, medications and co morbidities
who gives us the patient history information
sometimes its the patient, other times it is a family member, or care taker.
what are some components of the patient centered history
demographics, CC, HX or current condition, current and past medical history, social habits and history, functional status and diagnostic tests.
describe the kinds of questions we can ask to get detailed in our history
understand the nature of the problem, time since onset, what happened right before, have them fill out health lists, assess them as they speak.
what happens in the review of systems
ID symptoms that might have been minimized in the history, want to know about cardio, pulm, MSK, neuro, GI, reproductive, hematologic, psychological, nervous and endocrine.