Neurological and Mental Status Examination:
Observation, Chief Complaint, Cognition, Memory,
Attention, Mini-Mental State Exam, Coma
Assessment, Cranial Nerves II-XII, Optic
Fundoscopy, Pupillary Light Reflex, Extraocular
Muscles, Facial Expression and Taste, Corneal
Reflex, Gag Reflex, Sternocleidomastoid &
Trapezius Strength, Tongue Deviation, Muscle
Strength Grading, Reflex Grading (0–4+), Biceps
C5, Brachioradialis C6, Triceps C7, Patellar C4,
Achilles S1, Cerebellar Testing, Finger-to-Nose,
Heel-to-Shin, Rapid Alternating Movements,
Spinothalamic Tract, Medial Lemniscal Pathway,
Corticospinal Tract, Romberg Test, Glabellar Tap,
T10 Umbilicus Dermatome Exam Questions Verified
and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
What is the simple/most important thing you can do during a mental status exam?
observation
- chief complaint
- "how are you feeling?"
mental status exam
memory (short term vs long term)
attention/concentration (serial 7's, days of the week)
emotions (appropriate?)
mini-mental state examination (MMSE)
mental exam for a coma PT
BE DESCRIPTIVE
- describe the level of stimulation followed by response ("input/output description")
1|Page
, - make sure what you test can be repeated by and fully understood by some one else
EX: "on sternal rub PT had no eye opening."
cranial nerve II
optic nerve (vision)
Tests:
- fundoscopic exam (check optic disc etc.)
- pupillary light reflex (size/brisk)
- visual acuity (snellen test)
normal pupil size
3-5 mm
(CN II - pupillary light reflex)
what typically causes ptosis?
problem with levator palprebrae superioris
What are the extraocular muscles?
superior rectus (III)
inferior rectus (III)
medial rectus (III)
lateral rectus (VI)
superior oblique (IV)
inferior oblique (III)
cranial nerve III
oculomotor nerve
cranial nerve VI
abducens nerve
cranial nerve IV
trochlear nerve
cranial nerve V
trigeminal nerve
2|Page
Observation, Chief Complaint, Cognition, Memory,
Attention, Mini-Mental State Exam, Coma
Assessment, Cranial Nerves II-XII, Optic
Fundoscopy, Pupillary Light Reflex, Extraocular
Muscles, Facial Expression and Taste, Corneal
Reflex, Gag Reflex, Sternocleidomastoid &
Trapezius Strength, Tongue Deviation, Muscle
Strength Grading, Reflex Grading (0–4+), Biceps
C5, Brachioradialis C6, Triceps C7, Patellar C4,
Achilles S1, Cerebellar Testing, Finger-to-Nose,
Heel-to-Shin, Rapid Alternating Movements,
Spinothalamic Tract, Medial Lemniscal Pathway,
Corticospinal Tract, Romberg Test, Glabellar Tap,
T10 Umbilicus Dermatome Exam Questions Verified
and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
What is the simple/most important thing you can do during a mental status exam?
observation
- chief complaint
- "how are you feeling?"
mental status exam
memory (short term vs long term)
attention/concentration (serial 7's, days of the week)
emotions (appropriate?)
mini-mental state examination (MMSE)
mental exam for a coma PT
BE DESCRIPTIVE
- describe the level of stimulation followed by response ("input/output description")
1|Page
, - make sure what you test can be repeated by and fully understood by some one else
EX: "on sternal rub PT had no eye opening."
cranial nerve II
optic nerve (vision)
Tests:
- fundoscopic exam (check optic disc etc.)
- pupillary light reflex (size/brisk)
- visual acuity (snellen test)
normal pupil size
3-5 mm
(CN II - pupillary light reflex)
what typically causes ptosis?
problem with levator palprebrae superioris
What are the extraocular muscles?
superior rectus (III)
inferior rectus (III)
medial rectus (III)
lateral rectus (VI)
superior oblique (IV)
inferior oblique (III)
cranial nerve III
oculomotor nerve
cranial nerve VI
abducens nerve
cranial nerve IV
trochlear nerve
cranial nerve V
trigeminal nerve
2|Page
