Neurological Assessment Exam/146
questions and Solutions
Identify 6 areas of a patient's past medical history that should be examined
in a neurological assessment. - -History of head or spinal trauma or injuries
Chronic health problems
Surgical procedures
Medications
Personal habits
Family history
-What does the acronym TBI represent? - -Traumatic Brain Injury. This
refers to any trauma to the head that disrupts normal brain function.
-What types of past injuries should a nurse inquire about when performing a
neurological assessment? - -head injuries, spinal cord injuries, peripheral
nerve damage
-What specific medical problems would provide information that is
particularly enlightening in a neurological assessment? - -MS (Multiple
sclerosis)
AVM (Arteriovenous malformation)
CVA (Cerebrovascular accident)
Migraine headaches
Alzheimer's disease
-What chronic health problems that are non-neurological in nature might be
helpful in a neurological assessment? - -diabetes (can produce neuropathy),
hyperlipidemia (can produce stroke), hypertension (usually associated with
increased ICP, could produce stroke)
-What past surgical procedures might contribute useful information in a
neurological assessment? - -craniotomy, laminectomy, carotid endartectomy
-What types of medications should be inquired about during a neurological
assessment? - -prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications
-What personal habits might provide insights in a neurological assessment? -
-alcohol use, smoking, recreational drugs, chemical exposure
-What information related to a patient's family history might be revealing in
a neurological assessment? - -congenital defects (cerebral palsy--hypoxia;
spina bifida--defect resulting from incomplete closing of the embryonic
, neural tube), Huntington's disease (nerve cells in certain parts of the brain
waste away causing uncontrolled movements and mental deterioration)
-Identify 10 neurological symptoms. - -headaches, seizures, syncope, pain,
paresthesia, gait disturbances, visual changes, vertigo, memory disorders,
difficulty with swallowing or speech
-Identify the 5 areas that are included in assessing a patient's mental status.
- -Level of awareness
Level of consciousness (LOC)
Behavior and appearance
Cognitive abilities
Emotional status
-Define paresthesia - -abnormal sensation such as numbness, burning,
prickling, or tingling sensations that often occur in the extremities; may be
caused by nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy
-Name 5 factors that are included in a general mental status screening. - -
Physical appearance and behavior
Dress, grooming and personal hygeine
Facial expression
Affect
Communication
-What areas is the nurse focusing on when assessing a patient's physical
appearance and behavior? - -their posture, movements and gait
-What medical term refers to a patient's degree of wakefulness or ability to
be aroused? - -level of consciousness
-What is the most sensitive indicator of neurological changes? - -level of
consciousness
-What area in the brain is responsible for arousal? - -Reticular Activating
System (RAS) in the brainstem
-What patient response often indicates that the brainstem is intact? - -the
patient can open and close their eyes when a nurse calls their name. This
does not indicate if they are awake or oriented.
-What term describes an individual who is currently awake or easily
aroused? - -alert
questions and Solutions
Identify 6 areas of a patient's past medical history that should be examined
in a neurological assessment. - -History of head or spinal trauma or injuries
Chronic health problems
Surgical procedures
Medications
Personal habits
Family history
-What does the acronym TBI represent? - -Traumatic Brain Injury. This
refers to any trauma to the head that disrupts normal brain function.
-What types of past injuries should a nurse inquire about when performing a
neurological assessment? - -head injuries, spinal cord injuries, peripheral
nerve damage
-What specific medical problems would provide information that is
particularly enlightening in a neurological assessment? - -MS (Multiple
sclerosis)
AVM (Arteriovenous malformation)
CVA (Cerebrovascular accident)
Migraine headaches
Alzheimer's disease
-What chronic health problems that are non-neurological in nature might be
helpful in a neurological assessment? - -diabetes (can produce neuropathy),
hyperlipidemia (can produce stroke), hypertension (usually associated with
increased ICP, could produce stroke)
-What past surgical procedures might contribute useful information in a
neurological assessment? - -craniotomy, laminectomy, carotid endartectomy
-What types of medications should be inquired about during a neurological
assessment? - -prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications
-What personal habits might provide insights in a neurological assessment? -
-alcohol use, smoking, recreational drugs, chemical exposure
-What information related to a patient's family history might be revealing in
a neurological assessment? - -congenital defects (cerebral palsy--hypoxia;
spina bifida--defect resulting from incomplete closing of the embryonic
, neural tube), Huntington's disease (nerve cells in certain parts of the brain
waste away causing uncontrolled movements and mental deterioration)
-Identify 10 neurological symptoms. - -headaches, seizures, syncope, pain,
paresthesia, gait disturbances, visual changes, vertigo, memory disorders,
difficulty with swallowing or speech
-Identify the 5 areas that are included in assessing a patient's mental status.
- -Level of awareness
Level of consciousness (LOC)
Behavior and appearance
Cognitive abilities
Emotional status
-Define paresthesia - -abnormal sensation such as numbness, burning,
prickling, or tingling sensations that often occur in the extremities; may be
caused by nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy
-Name 5 factors that are included in a general mental status screening. - -
Physical appearance and behavior
Dress, grooming and personal hygeine
Facial expression
Affect
Communication
-What areas is the nurse focusing on when assessing a patient's physical
appearance and behavior? - -their posture, movements and gait
-What medical term refers to a patient's degree of wakefulness or ability to
be aroused? - -level of consciousness
-What is the most sensitive indicator of neurological changes? - -level of
consciousness
-What area in the brain is responsible for arousal? - -Reticular Activating
System (RAS) in the brainstem
-What patient response often indicates that the brainstem is intact? - -the
patient can open and close their eyes when a nurse calls their name. This
does not indicate if they are awake or oriented.
-What term describes an individual who is currently awake or easily
aroused? - -alert
