Neuro Evaluation Skills Check

Question 1

If your patient c/o headaches its a sure indication to screen what?

Answer 1

cranial nerves

Question 2

If your find your patient has a diminished dermatome its a sure indication you need to do what?

Answer 2

test dermatome site with sharp/dull to determine which tract is affected.

Question 3

If your observe your patient being confused or disoriented during your interview, it is a clear indication to do what?

Answer 3

use the mini mental exam

Question 4

During your dermatome screen you find diminished sensation and the patient history/sign and symptoms include nerve root impingement its a clear indication to do what?

Answer 4

do compression testing:

• wadell
• spurling (cervical) or quadrant (thoracolumbar)
• ULTT (possible median/radial/ulnar) or LLTT (slump/straight leg/prone knee bend)

Question 5

During your observation you notice your patient has ataxic gait and reports balance issues and clumsiness, what do you test?

Answer 5

anterior cerebellar testing:

• heel-shin
• heel-toe gait

Question 6

During your observation you notice your patient has tremor when signing their insurance paperwork, later reports balance problems and clumsiness reaching for objects, what do you test?

Answer 6

posterior cerebellar testing:

• finger to nose
• rapid alternating movement

Question 7

During your evaluation you observe the patient with tranquil ataxia while walking into your gym, what do you want to test?

Answer 7

floccular nodular:

• cross arm sit
• rhomberg

Question 8

If your patient has ataxic gait and complains of balance issues/problems and dizziness and tests negative during anterior cerebellar testing what else needs to be tested?

Answer 8

vestibular testing:

• saccades
• smooth pursuit
• VOR
• VA
• Dix-Hallpike
• foam dome

Question 9

If your patient has a positive finger rub test, what is your next test you need to perform?

Answer 9

weber & rinne