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Med Surg Ch. 67
Assessment of Neurologic Function
Term | Definition |
---|---|
agnosia | loss of ability to recognize objects through a particular sensory system; may be visual, auditory, or tactile |
ataxia | inability to coordinate muscle movements, resulting in difficulty in walking, talking, and performing self-care activities |
autonomic nervous system | division of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary body functions |
axon | portion of the neuron that conducts impulses away from the cell body |
babinski reflex (sign) | a reflex action of the toes; in adults is indicative of abnormalities in the motor control pathways leading from the cerebral cortex |
clonus | abnormal movement marked by alternating contraction and relaxation of a muscle occurring in rapid succession |
delirium | an acute, confused state that begins with disorientation and if not recognized and treated early can progress to changes in level of consciousness, irreversible brain damage, and sometimes death |
dendrite | portion of the neuron that conducts impulses toward the cell body |
flaccidity | displaying lack of muscle tone; limp, floppy |
parasympathetic nervous system | division of the autonomic nervous system active primarily during non-stressful conditions, controlling mostly visceral functions |
position (postural) sense | awareness of position of parts of the body without looking at them; also referred to as proprioception |
reflex | an automatic response to stimuli |
rigidity | increase in muscle tone at rest characterized by increased resistance to passive stretch |
Romburg Test | test for cerebellar dysfunction that can be done with the patient seated or standing; inability to maintain position for 20 seconds is a positive test |
spasticity | sustained increase in tension of a muscle when it is passively lengthened or stretched |
sympathetic nervous system | division of the autonomic nervous system with predominantly excitatory responses; the “fight-or-flight” system |
vertigo | illusion of movement in which the individual or the surroundings are sensed as moving |