Neurologic

Equipment Needed

• Reflex hammer
• Penlight
• Cotton wisp/monofilament
• Tuning fork

What to Say to the Patient

• "I'm going to test your reflexes, strength, sensation, and coordination."

Inspection Steps

• Mental status (see below)
• Gait, coordination
• Cranial nerve screen

Percussion Steps

• Deep tendon reflexes (biceps, triceps, brachioradialis, patellar, Achilles)

Normal Findings

• CN II-XII grossly intact
• 2+ reflexes symmetric
• Sensation intact
• Coordination (finger-to-nose, heel-to-shin) intact
• Steady gait

Abnormal Findings

• Cranial nerve deficits
• Hyperreflexia/hyporeflexia/asymmetry
• Sensory deficits
• Ataxia
• Babinski present (upper motor neuron sign)

Common Mistakes

• Skipping cranial nerve screen
• Not comparing reflexes bilaterally
• Forgetting Romberg/gait assessment

Documentation Example

CN II-XII grossly intact. DTRs 2+ and symmetric. Sensation intact to light touch. Gait steady, no ataxia.