A visual test may be given and the patient's eye may be examined with a special light. Cranial nerve III oculomotor. This nerve is responsible for pupil size and certain movements of the eye. The patient's healthcare provider may examine the pupil the black part of the eye with a light and have the patient follow the light in various directions. Cranial nerve V trigeminal nerve. This nerve allows for many functions, including the ability to feel the face, inside the mouth, and move the muscles involved with chewing.
The patient's healthcare provider may touch the face at different areas and watch the patient as he or she bites down. Cranial nerve VI abducens nerve. This nerve helps with the movement of the eyes. The patient may be asked to follow a light or finger to move the eyes. Cranial nerve VII facial nerve. This nerve is responsible for various functions, including the movement of the face muscle and taste.
The patient may be asked to identify different tastes sweet, sour, bitter , asked to smile, move the cheeks, or show the teeth. Cranial nerve VIII acoustic nerve. This nerve is the nerve of hearing. A hearing test may be performed on the patient. Cranial nerve IX glossopharyngeal nerve. This nerve is involved with taste and swallowing. Once again, the patient may be asked to identify different tastes on the back of the tongue. The gag reflex may be tested. Cranial nerve X vagus nerve.
This nerve is mainly responsible for the ability to swallow, the gag reflex, some taste, and part of speech. The patient may be asked to swallow and a tongue blade may be used to elicit the gag response. Depending on the findings of the assessment, further neurological examinations and diagnostic tests may be required. As mentioned above, there have been concerns raised about the consistency of neurological assessments, especially in regards to assessing pupil size and motor function.
This remains one of the major challenges in regards to neurological assessment. In order to ensure the reliability of neurological assessment and the GCS, it is important that all health professionals conducting these assessments are:. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: Verify here. Log In Join Ausmed. Start my Subscription. Log In. Sign Up. Online CPD Articles. Neurological Assessment and GCS. These may include remembering a list of items, naming objects, and drawing specific shapes.
Coordination and balance. Your neurologist may ask you to walk in a straight line, placing one foot directly in front of the other.
Other tests may include closing your eyes and touching your nose with your index finger. A reflex is an automatic response to stimulation. Reflexes are tested by tapping different areas of the body with a small rubber hammer. If reflexes are normal, your body will move a certain way when tapped with the hammer.
During a neurological exam, the neurologist may tap several areas on your body, including below your kneecap and areas around your elbow and ankle. You will be asked to identify sensations such as heat, cold, and pain. Cranial nerves. These are the nerves that connect your brain with your eyes, ears, nose, face, tongue, neck, throat, upper shoulders, and some organs.
You have 12 pairs of these nerves. Your neurologist will test specific nerves depending on your symptoms. Testing may include identifying certain smells, sticking out your tongue and trying to speak, and moving your head from side to side. You may also get hearing and vision tests. Autonomic nervous system. This is the system that controls basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
These were previously referred to as "deep tendon reflexes" and are usually examined with the use of a reflex hammer. The reflex hammer is used at different points on the body, such as the knee or elbow, to test the reflex arc between the nerves that cause the muscle contraction and those that send signals back to the brain.
This tests both the peripheral nerves and the spinal cord. If the peripheral nerves are impaired, this test causes a reduced or absent response. If the spinal cord is injured, this test tends to cause an exaggerated response. Evaluation of the cranial nerves. During a complete neurological exam, most of these nerves are evaluated to help determine the functioning of the brain:.
Cranial nerve I olfactory nerve. This is the nerve of smell. Your child may be asked to identify different smells with his or her eyes closed. Cranial nerve II optic nerve. This nerve carries vision to the brain.
A visual test may be given and your child's eye may be examined with a special light. Cranial nerve III oculomotor. This nerve is responsible for pupil size and certain movements of the eye. Your child's healthcare provider may examine the pupil the black part of the eye with a light and have your child follow the light in various directions.
Cranial nerve IV trochlear nerve. This nerve also helps with the movement of the eyes, in combination with CN VI. Cranial nerve V trigeminal nerve.
This nerve allows for many functions, including the ability to feel the face, inside the mouth, and move the muscles involved with chewing. Your child's healthcare provider may touch the face at different areas and watch your child as he or she bites down. Cranial nerve VI abducens nerve. This nerve helps with the movement of the eyes.
0コメント