Neurological Assessment
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Neurological Assessment
What do you say before beginning assessment? - I'm going to do another assessment now. I will start by asking you some questions, I will shine a light in your eyes, and check your strength.
- What does upright mean?
- For infants: Check fontanels in the upright position.
- What do you check fontanels for?
- Check for sunken, depressed, or bulging fontanels.
- What do you check for in orientation?
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Person - What is your full name?
Place - Can you tell me where you are?
Time - Can you tell me today's date? or day of the week, or time of day, AM/PM? - What about a child 1-3 yrs. old?
- Use VAT system. Visual, Auditory, Tactile: Abilitiy to recognize familiar objects, parent, favorite toy, and see if pt is reaching out for toy; did baby turn when name called?
- What do you check pupils for?
- PERRL - ask to look at your nose, then dim lights and check with a pen light for reaction to light. Keep pen 15cm away. You are checking if both pupils are equal in size and if they constrict at the same rate.
- What do you tell pt BEFORE pupil assessment?
- I will be shining a light in your eyes. It may be a little uncomfortable, but I will be as quick as possible, just continue looking at my nose.
- How do you check for UPPER Extremity strength?
- Tell pt - Can you squeeze my fingers with both hands at the same time and don't let me pull away.
- What are you checking for in UPPER extremity strength?
- You are checking if hand grasp is equal in strength bilaterally.
- How do you check for LOWER Extremity strength?
- Tell pt - Can you push your feet against my hands towards your face, and now away from your face.
- What are you checking for in LOWER extremity strength?
- You are checking for dorsal and plantar flexion of feet and comparing if they are equal bilaterally.
- How do you check strength in a child under 3?
- Observe musculoskeletal response for symmetry and movement.
- How do you check strength in babies?
- Grasp fingers and pull your finger away and see if the grasps are equal in strength on both hands.
- How do you check strength in non-responsive to verbal stimuli pts?
- Apply pressure to nail bed and see if they react or pull away.