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Flashcards in HIgher Centres Examination Deck (4)
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1
Q

Parietal Lobe Function tests

DOMINANT

A

Lesion causes Gertsmanns syndrome which consists of the following:

  • Alcalculia
    = Test by asking serial 7s
  • Agraphia
    = Test by asking them to write a sentence
  • Right/Left disorientation
    = Test by asking patient to show you their left and right hands. If done correctly, ask them to touch left ear with right hand etc.
  • Finger Agnosia
    = Test by asking them to show you their pinky finger, their pointer finger and their thumb

NOTE: Gertsmanns syndrome is only diagnosed if the other higher centres are intact.

2
Q

Parietal Lobe Function Tests

NON dominant

A

Graphaesthesia
Test = draw numbers or letters on the skin with a pointed object

Sensory and visual inattention
Test = when one leg or arm is tested at a time sensation is normal however when done simultaneously only normal side is felt. Deficit is contralateral to lesion

Visual Field testing

Astereognosis
Test = ask patient to recognise an object placed in their hand with eyes closed

Two point discrimination
Test = Use a compass to see the distance that patient can discriminate as two seperate points (3cm on hand is normal)

Dressing and constructional apraxia
Test = Patient Copies an object that you draw (house/tree), Turn patients shirt inside out and hand it to them back to front- see if they can dress

Spatial neglect
Test = Fill in the numbers on a blank clock face (can also be a sign of dominant lobe deficits)

3
Q

Temporal Lobe Function tests

A

Short term and Long term memory tests

Short:
- Give them 3 things to remember, they should initially repeat these words and then distract with another task before asking them to repeat it again

Long:
- Ask a general knowledge question, such as “When did World War II end” or “Which country was hit with nuclear bombs in World War II?”

Test for confabulation = Ask patient if they have met you before

4
Q

Frontal Lobe Function Tests

A

Cause changes in:
- emotion, memory, judgement, carelessness about personal habits and disinhibition

Tests:
Proverb Interpretation
= Ask the patient what you mean by “Kill two birds with one stone”- if there is an issue then they will give you a concrete/literal answer

Primitive Reflexes
- Grasp reflex
(run fingers across palm of patients hand- will grasp on side that is contralateral to lesion)

  • Palmomental reflex
    (ipsilateral contraction of the mentalis muscle when you stroke the thenar eminence firmly- causes lifting of the lower lip)
  • Pout and Snout reflex
    (stoking or tapping hammer over the upper lip produces pouting of the lips- not a localising sign)