Glasgow Coma Scale Neurological Assessment.PPTVIP

Neurological AssessmentNEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Rachel Palmer and Jessica Knight Introduction This presentation examines the notion of consciousness and walks you through a neurological assessment. Part 1 – Level of Consciousness and Neurological Status Part 2 – Neurological Assessment and the GCS Part 3 – Pain Noxious Stimuli Part 4 – Pupil Documentation Assessment Part 5 – Limb Power Sensation PART 1: Level of Consciousness and Neurological Status Consciousness Consciousness is the most sensitive indicator of neurological change and is usually the first to be noted in neurological signs A state of general awareness of oneself the environment, including the ability to orientate towards new stimuli (Hickey, 2003) Dynamic state, subject to change (Hickey, 2003) Results from integrated activities of numerous neural structures, including the reticular formation and interaction with the cerebral cortex (Marieb Hoehn 2007) Level of Consciousness There are three properties of consciousness which can be individually affected by the disease process (Jennett 1992). These are: Arousal or wakefulness (i.e. eyes open to command) Alertness and awareness (i.e. orientation and communication) Appropriate voluntary motor activity (i.e. obeying commands) Emergency Care A = Airway B = Breathing and ventilation C = Circulation D = Disability: Neurological status E = Exposure (American College of Surgeons Committee 2004) Please see the printed chapter for information on A,B,C….E PART 2: Neurological Assessment and the GCS Assessment of Level of Consciousness Common methods of assessing conscious level are: AVPU Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Both are potential tools for assessing the conscious level, and either can be used in the Early Warning Score (EWS) system used in many hospitals. AVPU This is an example of a neurological assessment chartWhen documenting observations on the neurological assessment chart, it is important to:1. Complete all sections.2. Use dots not tic