Fundamentals of Neurologic Examination Neurologic Examination Made Easy!

摘要

The neurologic examination is the most important tool in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with neurologic disease. A good neurologic examination allows lesion localization, which is key for a successful neurologic work up. The main components ofthe neurologic exam are evaluation of mental status and behavior, gait and posture, postural reactions, cranial nerves, spinal reflexes, palpation, and pain perception.Before handling the patient, let the patient explore the examination room, if ambulatory, and observe the patient's reaction to the surroundings. Mental status should be evaluated both in terms of level and content of consciousness. Abnormal behavior isidentified by comparing the patient's behavior to expected behavior for animals of a similar breed and age.