Assessment and Diagnosis Flashcards

When using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), which score indicates that the patient requires minimal assistance and performs at least 75% of the task independently?

Answer: FIM score of 5

A FIM score of 5 (supervision) means the patient needs stand-by assistance or cueing but does ≥75% of the effort.

Which of the following best describes the distinction between coup and contrecoup injuries in TBI assessment?

Answer: Coup is injury at the impact site; contrecoup is injury opposite the impact site

Coup injury occurs directly at the site of impact, while contrecoup occurs on the opposite side due to brain rebound within the skull.

A patient exhibits difficulty recognizing familiar faces despite intact visual acuity. This presentation is most consistent with damage to which brain region?

Answer: Right fusiform face area in the temporal lobe

Prosopagnosia (inability to recognize faces) is associated with bilateral or right fusiform gyrus damage in the temporal lobe.

In TBI rehabilitation assessment, 'spasticity' is most accurately defined as:

Answer: Velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes

Spasticity is specifically a velocity-dependent hypertonic state caused by upper motor neuron lesions, distinguishing it from rigidity.

Which screening tool is most commonly recommended for identifying depression in the TBI population during routine clinical assessment?

Answer: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

The PHQ-9 is widely validated for depression screening in TBI populations and is brief, standardized, and easy to administer.

A patient with TBI demonstrates intact recall of events before the injury but cannot form new memories. This pattern is classified as:

Answer: Anterograde amnesia only

Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories after the injury, while pre-injury memories remain intact.

During TBI assessment, a positive Babinski sign (upgoing plantar reflex) indicates:

Answer: Upper motor neuron pathology

An upgoing big toe in response to plantar stimulation (positive Babinski) is a sign of upper motor neuron dysfunction such as corticospinal tract injury.