Neurological Assessment

Hi All!

     The continuation of the last post, following the ears, eyes, nose and throat assessment will be the neurological assessment (Appendix D). Observation related to the neurological assessment should be an observation with no neurological deficits, or if the patient denies problems; documenting other findings may be needed. Material related to neurological deficits will be discussed, for example, observing the patient for an asymmetrical smile (1 side of mouth not equal to the other), blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, diplopia ( seeing a single object as 2 or double vision), left eye deviates downward, left eye deviates upward, left eye deviates left, left eye deviates right, left field cut, left hemianopsia (loss of ½ of a field of vision), left neglect, ptosis (drooping eyelid), right eye deviates downward, right eye deviates upward, right eye deviates left, right eye deviates right, right eye field cut, right hemianopsia, right neglect, tongue deviates left, tongue deviates right, or unequal hand grasps.   

     Material covered will also include types of seizure activity. Grand mal seizure (loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions); this type is triggered by low blood sugars or a stroke. Petit mal is a staring spell which last less than 15 seconds, and is known as an “absence seizure" (Cognitive/Neurological Assessment, Center for Rehabilitation, 2011). Monitoring the seizure and documenting the duration (time) and length of the seizure is important and this information can be given when the physician is contacted.

                                                               Appendix D 

Neurological Assessment:

Neurological: there should be no neurological deficits, the patient denies problems, although document other findings.

Neurological deficits: Observe patient for asymmetrical smile (1 side of mouth not equal to the other), blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, diplopia ( seeing a single object as 2 or double vision), left eye deviates downward, left eye deviates upward, left eye deviates left, left eye deviates right, left field cut, left hemianopsia ( loss of ½ of a field of vision), left neglect, ptosis (drooping eyelid), right eye deviates downward, right eye deviates upward, right eye deviates left, right eye deviates right, right eye field cut, right hemianopsia, right neglect, tongue deviates left, tongue deviates right, or unequal hand grasps.

Seizure activity:  grand mal (loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions); this type is triggered by low blood sugars or a stroke. Petit mal (staring spell which last less than 15 seconds; also known as an “absence seizure”).

Seizure duration (time): monitor and document the length of the seizure (Cognitive/Neurological Assessment, Center for Rehabilitation, 2011). 

                                                                         Reference

Cognitive/Neurological Assessment, Center for Rehabilitation, (2011). Retrieved from www.thedacare.org (intranet).

*If you have any questions thus far, please feel free to ask. I am interested in your comments and thoughts as well!

 Have a great day! . . Panthera!