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Cognitive Exam
 
 
Cognitive Exam
The neurocognitive examination is a comprehensive assessment of a patient's higher centres, assessing aspects such as orientation, attention, language, memory and executive function.
Consciousness & Orientation
Attention & Concentration
Language
Memory
Motor Ability
Visuospatial Processing
Executive Function
 

Conscious State

 
 
On this page:
The Glasgow Coma Scale

Overview

  • The patient's level of consciousness is an assessment of their wakefulness and responsiveness to external stimuli.

The Glasgow Coma Scale

  • The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a 15-point scale indicating level of consciousness.

    • How to Assess

      • If the patient is not spontaneously opening their eyes, begin by attempting to elicit a response verbally. If this is unsuccessful then apply a painful stimulus such as a trapezius squeeze or a sternal rub.
  • If not done in this order, the examiner is unable to determine whether the patient responded to the painful stimulus or the voice.

    • Interpretation

    • The Glasgow Coma Scale

    • Causes of Reduced Glasgow Coma Scale

    • Intracranial

    • Haemorrhage - intracerebral, subarachnoid, subdural, extradural
    • Infarction
    • Infection - meningitis, encephalitis, abscess
    • Tumour - mass effect, cerebral oedema
    • Post ictal state
    • Head trauma - vascular, hypoxia, cerebral oedema, parenchymal injury
    • Psychiatric - conversion disorder, depression, catatonia

    • Extracranial

    • Cardiovascular - shock, hypertension
    • Infection - septicaemia
    • Metabolic - hypo/hyperosmolar states, hypo/hyperglycaemia, hypoadrenalism, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, electrolyte abnormality, hypercapnia
    • Drugs / toxins - sedatives, analgesics, alcohol
    • Physical injury - hyper / hypothermia, electrocution
Last updated on January 1st, 2017
 
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Associated Diseases
BETA

Endocrinology
Hypothyroidism
Diabetic Complications
Hypoglycaemia
Hypopituitarism
Adrenal Insufficiency
Neurological
Ischaemic Stroke
Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
Intracerebral Haemorrhage
Subdural Haemorrhage
Epidural Haemorrhage
Epilepsy
Bacterial Meningitis
Fungal Meningitis
Viral Meningitis
Brain Abscess
Cerebral Oedema
Trauma
Traumatic Brain Injury
Hypothermia
Electrocution
Other
Shock
Alcohol Intoxication
Meningococcal infection
CNS Cancers
Major Depressive Disorder
Conversion Disorder

Associated Drugs
BETA

Opioids
Benzodiazepines
 
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