Assessment of the Nervous System

EHS Unit 4

Learning Targets• Identify methods to assess function

of the nervous system. • Differentiate between normal and

abnormal results.

Assessing the CNS: Mental Status

• First, we must establish level of consciousness: – Is the person responsive to voice, touch, pain?– Do they have difficulty staying awake? – How is their response time?

• Next, we can evaluate mental orientation. – Do they know who they are, where they are, what

year it is, and recall recent events?

**What types of problems might effect these factors?**

Assessing the CNS: Mental Acuity• Long Term Memory: – This can be tested by discussing earlier life events

with patient, or by asking them to name several items in a category that is common knowledge.

• Short Term Memory: – Can be assessed by asking a patient to recall a

series of words or numbers. • Higher Brain Functions and Language: – Can be assessed during general conversation, or by

asking patient to write things or name pictures that are drawn.

Assessment of the PNS: Cranial Nerves

• We assess the cranial nerves selectively by function. – Olfactory : smell– Optic: sight– Occulomotor, Trochlear and Abducens: Eye

movement, pupillary reflex– Facial and Trigeminal: facial movements and

sensation– Vestibulochoclear – hearing– Glossopharyngeal, Hypoglossal: swallowing,

sticking out tongue

Assessment of the PNS: Sensation

• Afferent Nerves can be tested by light touch, temperature, or pain stimulus. – Pain stimulus should only be used when

light tough or temperature are not effective.

• Proprioception: a sense of where body parts are in relation to others. – This is an assessment of cerebellar

function.

Assessment of PNS: Motor Function

• Efferent pathways should be test for the somatic and autonomic nervous system. – Somatic can be tested by performing

ROM and assessing bilateral strength. – Autonomic can be tested by checking

reflexes. • Patellar reflex is the most common.

** What other systems are being assessed here? **