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Neurological Assessment Flashcards

7 cards from real TNCC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Neurological Assessment flashcards as text

  1. A trauma patient has a GCS score of 8. Which component breakdown best fits this score?

    Answer: Eye 3, Verbal 2, Motor 3

    E3+V2+M3=8 is one valid combination; multiple breakdowns can sum to 8, but E3V2M3 represents a common clinical presentation.

  2. Which finding during pupillary assessment most strongly suggests uncal herniation?

    Answer: Unilateral fixed and dilated pupil ipsilateral to injury

    Uncal herniation compresses CN III on the same side as the expanding lesion, causing an ipsilateral fixed dilated pupil.

  3. A patient with a brain injury begins posturing with arms flexed and legs extended. This is classified as:

    Answer: Decerebrate posturing

    Decerebrate (extensor) posturing involves extension of all extremities and indicates brainstem dysfunction at the midbrain-pons level.

  4. The Cushing's triad is a late sign of increased ICP. Which combination correctly identifies all three components?

    Answer: Hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations

    Cushing's triad consists of hypertension with widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations, indicating imminent brainstem herniation.

  5. When assessing a trauma patient's best motor response on the GCS, nail bed pressure is applied and the patient withdraws. This scores as:

    Answer: 4

    Withdrawal from pain scores a 4 on the motor component of the GCS scale.

  6. Which cervical spine injury pattern is most associated with a diving accident mechanism?

    Answer: Axial compression (burst) fracture at C4-C5

    Diving into shallow water causes axial loading and burst fractures most commonly at C4-C5 due to the alignment of the cervical spine during impact.

  7. A patient presents with loss of pain and temperature sensation below T6 on one side, and loss of motor function and proprioception on the opposite side below T6. This pattern describes:

    Answer: Brown-Séquard syndrome

    Brown-Séquard syndrome results from hemisection of the spinal cord, causing ipsilateral motor/proprioception loss and contralateral pain/temperature loss.