Neurological

A neurological assessment is a functional map of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. The nurse is not simply collecting isolated findings. The nurse is asking whether the client’s level of brain function, language, cranial nerve function, movement, sensation, coordination, or balance has changed—and whether that change suggests an immediately reversible problem or evolving neurological injury. The brain has limited tolerance for interrupted oxygen and glucose delivery. A small change in speech, pupil response, or unilateral strength may appear before the client becomes obviously unstable. That is why the most useful neurological finding is often not an abnormal number; it is a meaningful change from the client’s documented baseline. A practical nurse’s assessment is both systematic and comparative. Compare the right side with the left, the current examination with the previous examination, and the client’s performance with what is usual for that person. A chronic left-sided weakness after a previous stroke is not interpreted in the same way as newly developed left-sided weakness at 10:30 this morning. In Canadian practice, a competent practical nurse may perform routine nursing...