Physical Assessment and Neurological Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terminology, assessment findings, levels of consciousness, and movement disorders from the physical assessment notes.

Alert & oriented ×4

Oriented to person, place, time, situation.

Lethargic

Drifts off easily; awakens to name.

Obtunded

Arouses to loud/physical stimuli; confused; one-word answers.

Stupor

Unconscious; responds only to pain.

Coma

Completely unconscious; no response to pain.

Delirium

Acute confusion; sudden onset; fluctuates.

Dementia

Chronic, progressive confusion.

Dysarthria

Appropriate word choice but unclear articulation.

Aphasia

Difficulty finding words or expressing ideas.

Mood

Internal emotional state (verbal + nonverbal).

Affect

Outward expression of mood.

Fruity odor

An unexpected body/breath odor associated with DKA.

Ammonia odor

An unexpected body/breath odor associated with kidney disease.

Musty odor

An unexpected body/breath odor associated with liver disease.

Fecal odor

An unexpected body/breath odor associated with bowel obstruction.

Spasticity

Increased muscle tone; resistance to passive movement.

Rigidity

Resistance to any joint manipulation.

Fasciculation

Rapid, continuous twitching at rest.

Myoclonus

Sudden jerking (hiccups, seizures, sleep jerks).

Tic

Repetitive involuntary movement (winks, grimaces).

Tremor

Rhythmic movement from opposing muscle groups.