Neurological Assessment Test with
Verified Solutions
Identify 6 areas of a patient's past medical history that should be examined in a
neurological assessment. - Ans -History of head or spinal trauma or injuries
Chronic health problems
Surgical procedures
Medications
Personal habits
Family history
What does the acronym TBI represent? - Ans -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? - Ans -head injuries, spinal cord injuries, peripheral nerve damage
What specific medical problems would provide information that is particularly enlightening
in a neurological assessment? - Ans -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? - Ans -diabetes (can produce neuropathy), hyperlipidemia
(can produce stroke), hypertension (usually associated with increased ICP, could produce
1
stroke)
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,What past surgical procedures might contribute useful information in a neurological
assessment? - Ans -craniotomy, laminectomy, carotid endartectomy
What types of medications should be inquired about during a neurological assessment? -
Ans -prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications
What personal habits might provide insights in a neurological assessment? - Ans -
alcohol use, smoking, recreational drugs, chemical exposure
What information related to a patient's family history might be revealing in a neurological
assessment? - Ans -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. - Ans -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. - Ans -
Level of awareness
Level of consciousness (LOC)
Behavior and appearance
Cognitive abilities
Emotional status
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Page
, Define paresthesia - Ans -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. - Ans -
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? - Ans -their posture, movements and gait
What medical term refers to a patient's degree of wakefulness or ability to be aroused? -
Ans -level of consciousness
What is the most sensitive indicator of neurological changes? - Ans -level of
consciousness
What area in the brain is responsible for arousal? - Ans -Reticular Activating System
(RAS) in the brainstem
What patient response often indicates that the brainstem is intact? - Ans -the patient
can open and close their eyes when a nurse calls their name. This does not indicate if they
are awake or oriented.
3
Page
Verified Solutions
Identify 6 areas of a patient's past medical history that should be examined in a
neurological assessment. - Ans -History of head or spinal trauma or injuries
Chronic health problems
Surgical procedures
Medications
Personal habits
Family history
What does the acronym TBI represent? - Ans -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? - Ans -head injuries, spinal cord injuries, peripheral nerve damage
What specific medical problems would provide information that is particularly enlightening
in a neurological assessment? - Ans -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? - Ans -diabetes (can produce neuropathy), hyperlipidemia
(can produce stroke), hypertension (usually associated with increased ICP, could produce
1
stroke)
Page
,What past surgical procedures might contribute useful information in a neurological
assessment? - Ans -craniotomy, laminectomy, carotid endartectomy
What types of medications should be inquired about during a neurological assessment? -
Ans -prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications
What personal habits might provide insights in a neurological assessment? - Ans -
alcohol use, smoking, recreational drugs, chemical exposure
What information related to a patient's family history might be revealing in a neurological
assessment? - Ans -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. - Ans -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. - Ans -
Level of awareness
Level of consciousness (LOC)
Behavior and appearance
Cognitive abilities
Emotional status
2
Page
, Define paresthesia - Ans -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. - Ans -
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? - Ans -their posture, movements and gait
What medical term refers to a patient's degree of wakefulness or ability to be aroused? -
Ans -level of consciousness
What is the most sensitive indicator of neurological changes? - Ans -level of
consciousness
What area in the brain is responsible for arousal? - Ans -Reticular Activating System
(RAS) in the brainstem
What patient response often indicates that the brainstem is intact? - Ans -the patient
can open and close their eyes when a nurse calls their name. This does not indicate if they
are awake or oriented.
3
Page
