This document outlines methods for assessing the nervous system, including tests for mental status, memory, cranial nerves, sensation, motor function, and reflexes. It describes evaluating level of consciousness, orientation, long and short term memory, language skills, smell, sight, eye and facial movements, hearing, swallowing, sensation of touch, temperature and pain, proprioception, range of motion, strength, and reflexes. The goal is to identify normal and abnormal results and potential problems affecting nervous system function.

1. Assessment of the Nervous
System
EHS Unit 4

2. Learning Targets
• Identify methods to assess function of the
nervous system.
• Differentiate between normal and
abnormal results.

3. Assessing the CNS: Mental
Status
• First, we must establish level of
consciousness:
– Is the person responsive to voice, touch, pain?
– Do they have difficulty staying awake?
– How is their response time?
• Next, we can evaluate mental orientation.
– Do they know who they are, where they are, what
year it is, and recall recent events?
**What types of problems might effect these
factors?**

4. Assessing the CNS: Mental
Acuity
• Long Term Memory:
– This can be tested by discussing earlier life
events with patient, or by asking them to name
several items in a category that is common
knowledge.
• Short Term Memory:
– Can be assessed by asking a patient to recall a
series of words or numbers.
• Higher Brain Functions and Language:
– Can be assessed during general conversation, or
by asking patient to write things or name pictures
that are drawn.

5. Assessment of the PNS: Cranial
Nerves
• We assess the cranial nerves selectively by
function.
– Olfactory : smell
– Optic: sight
– Occulomotor, Trochlear and Abducens: Eye
movement, pupillary reflex
– Facial and Trigeminal: facial movements and
sensation
– Vestibulochoclear – hearing
– Glossopharyngeal, Hypoglossal: swallowing,
sticking out tongue

6. Assessment of the PNS:
Sensation
• Afferent Nerves can be tested by light
touch, temperature, or pain stimulus.
– Pain stimulus should only be used when light
tough or temperature are not effective.
• Proprioception: a sense of where body
parts are in relation to others.
– This is an assessment of cerebellar function.

8. Assessment of PNS: Motor
Function
• Efferent pathways should be test for the
somatic and autonomic nervous system.
– Somatic can be tested by performing ROM
and assessing bilateral strength.
– Autonomic can be tested by checking
reflexes.
• Patellar reflex is the most common.
** What other systems are being assessed here? **