Neurological Disorders: Viral Induced Neurological Term Paper

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The "norm" in motor skills testing is that an individual should be able to follow a complex command involving at least three body parts discrimination being made between the right and left side of the body.

Cranial Nerve Examination: depending on the site of the lesion the testing of the patient in the ability to identify certain distinct odors such as coffee, cloves, ammonia and so forth are used in testing the nociceptive receptors of the trigeminal, or 5th cranial nerve. The optic second, third oculomotor and fourth trocklearn as well as the 6th crnail nerves, or abducens are tested generally as a visual type test.

Examination of the motor system is done through testing of the patients muscle tone. Decreased tone in the muscle points to atrophy. The most common abnormality of movement are called "Fasciculations" which are twitches just under the skin indicating lesions in relation to the lower motor neuron.

Examination of the patient's coordination and stance should be performed as well. Sensory testing is performed also, as well as cortical sensory functions being tested. Further called for is that of reflex testing, autonomic system testing, and finally a cerebrovascular examination should be given due to the risk of stroke in the elderly patient with hypertension or other stroke causing complications.

Conclusion:

It is important that healthcare professionals know the symptoms of these neurological disorders in order to make quick assessment in order to avoid exposure of themselves or others to these highly contagious and often fatal diseases.

Bibliography

Merck Manual: "Neurological Examination" Section 14, Chapter 165 [Online] available at http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section14/chapter165/165c.jsp

Neurological Assessment