Intro and Neuro History Taking Lecture Powerpoint

Question 1

Diagnosis in neurology primarily comes from ___ rather than ___

Answer 1

History, physical exam

Question 2

Important note about history regarding neurological work up

Answer 2

Have to be clear about words - can put in words of patients but make sure that we know what patient means by words, if not always clarify to be on the same page

Question 3

Basic components of neurological history and their importance (5)

Answer 3

1) Age - symptoms can vary significantly with age (ex - UTI in 24 vs 82 year old)
2) Handedness - Important for localizing lesions, put in first sentence of HPI!
3) Presenting complaint - difficult for patients to put into words
4) Be on lookout for pattern of episodes, fluctuating levels of severity, and progression of the dz state
5) Personal history including education, birth history (neuro defects), travel history (infection), alcohol (neurotoxin) PMH, or drug history (prescribed psychiatric are big!)

Question 4

Ataxia definition

Answer 4

a loss of full control of body movements often resulting in imbalance or being off gait, some patients may describe the sensation as dizziness

Question 5

When documenting, do NOT put…

Answer 5

CN II-XII grossly intact (should put specifically what you are TESTING is intact because you don’t want to assume incorrectly if you didn’t test something - be thorough, can be used in court)

Question 6

“Worst headache of my life…” is often the description of a…

Answer 6

…Subarachnoid hemorrhage typically from aneurysm rupture