Chapter Objectives: At the end of this chapter, the learner will:
Chapter Objectives: At the end of this chapter, the learner will:
- Obtain the health history of the neurological system.
- Assess the neurological system of the patient including the cranial nerves, sensory function, pain, temperature, and position sense of a patient.
- Document findings of the neurological exam.
I. Overview of the Neurological System
The assessment of the neurological system include examinations of mental status, level of consciousness and examinations of the neurological function. While details of the mental status assessment will be described in the next chapter, this chapter will begin with a review of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves and their functions. It will follow by a collection of some important terminologies of this system, and then continue with key assessment components for the system.
II. Anatomy and Physiology
Click the link below to review anatomy and physiology of the neurological system. In the assessment process, you will need to apply your knowledge of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves and their functions to the neurological system.
III. Medical Terminology
The following are commonly used medical terminologies in the assessment of neurological system.
| Affect | observable behaviors that indicate a person’s feelings or emotions |
| Anxiety | a feeling of uneasiness or discomfort experienced in varying degree |
| Apathy | lack of emotional expression; indifference to stimuli or surroundings |
| Aphasia | a neurological condition in which language function is absent or impaired |
| Cognitive functioning | an intellectual process by which one becomes aware of, perceives, or comprehends ideas |
| Coherency | conversation and behavior that conveys thoughts and feelings in a logical and relevant manner |
| Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) | a stroke; a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain |
| Delirium | a temporary state of confusion |
| Depression | a mood disorder characterized by low mood, a feeling of sadness, and a general loss of interest in things |
| Dementia | impairment of intellectual functioning, memory, and judgment |
| Dysarthria | speech disorder involving difficulty with articulating and pronunciation of specific sounds |
| Dysphagia
Dysphasia |
difficulty in swallowing
difficulty with speech |
| Encephalitis | inflammation of the brain |
| Hyperesthesia | abnormally increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as touch or pain |
| Labile emotions | unpredictable, rapid shifting of expression of feelings |
| Paralysis | absence of strength secondary to nervous impairment |
| Paresis | impaired muscle strength or weakness |
| Paresthesia | numbness and tingling |
| Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) | A neurological event with the signs and symptoms of a stroke, but which go away within a short period of time |
| Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) | the hinge joint between the temporal bone and the lower jaw |
IV. Step by Step Assessment
| Steps | Additional Information |
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| 1. Obtain the he