Middle Cerebral Artery Infarct
Evaluation and Examination
The physical examination should focus on the neurological system. A neurological examination should include the following components.
- Interview: This process allows the clinician to gather data, both subjectively and objectively, regarding the patient's previous/present health state.
-Level of Consciousness: Consciousness is the most sensitive indicator of neurological change. Disturbances to consciousness indicate damage to the cerebral cortex or the reticular activating system. To test the patient's level of consciousness, stimulate the patient with progressively stronger stimuli (normal voice, shout, light touch, pain) and assess the patient's response. The Glasgow Coma Scale is frequently used in healthcare settings and can be accessed in the clinical measures tab.
- Cranial Nerve Testing:
-Dermatomes
- Myotomes
-Kinesthesic awareness
-Visual field testing
-Deep tendon reflexes
-Spasticity assessment
- Interview: This process allows the clinician to gather data, both subjectively and objectively, regarding the patient's previous/present health state.
-Level of Consciousness: Consciousness is the most sensitive indicator of neurological change. Disturbances to consciousness indicate damage to the cerebral cortex or the reticular activating system. To test the patient's level of consciousness, stimulate the patient with progressively stronger stimuli (normal voice, shout, light touch, pain) and assess the patient's response. The Glasgow Coma Scale is frequently used in healthcare settings and can be accessed in the clinical measures tab.
- Cranial Nerve Testing:
-Dermatomes
- Myotomes
-Kinesthesic awareness
-Visual field testing
-Deep tendon reflexes
-Spasticity assessment