levels of consciousness

what are the important parts of a neuro exam

level of consciousness and oritentation

what are teh other parts of a neuro exam

• cranial nerve assessment - nurses don’t do this

• motor function

• sensory function

signs and symptoms of a head injury

1. changes in LOC - drowsiness, confusion, difficult to arouse

2. seizures

3. bleeding or water drainage from nose or ears

4. pupils slow to react or unequal

5. visual problems

6. loss of sensation

7. slurred speech

8. projectile vomiting

alert level of consciousness

patient is awake and eyes open spontaneously

lethargic level of consciousness

someone who’s extremely drowsy. they may wake up when you speak, but when you’re done speaking, they’ll fall back asleep

obtunded level of consciousness

someone that is very difficult to rouse, you have to shake hard or shout to wake and need to be constantly stimulated to rouse

stuporous level of consciousness

patients that respond only to vigorous shaking or painful stimuli

comatose level of consciousness

no matter what they do, they’re not getting up