Title: Module 5: Overview
Course: HEALTH ASSESSMENT 80FA20 > Section: Module 5 - Mental Status; Neurological System (September 21-27)

Module Introduction

A mental status assessment is an important part of any health assessment and this is covered in module five.  Finally, the last system to be covered is the neurological system.

Overview of Module 5:

The purpose of this module is to help you learn the structure and function of the neurological system and review mental status; understand the rationale and methods of exam of the mental status and neurological system, assess functional ability; and accurately document the assessment of each system.

The neurological assessment is complex, and the depth of the assessment greatly depends on the purpose of the assessment and clinical practice setting. A screening examination is performed on well persons who have no significant subjective findings revealed in their history. A complete examination is performed on persons who have neurological concerns identified through the neurological history. A neurological recheck is performed on persons who have had a complete neurological examination and are being seen for follow-up care. Neurological assessments are often done in the emergency department to obtain baseline findings in patients from trauma, strokes, etc. Again, neuro assessments provide critical information on a patient's initial status, and then as a guide to evaluate treatment effectiveness.

Click the video below to watch the introduction from your faculty.

Module Outcomes

At the end of this module students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate appropriate history taking and assessment techniques for a mental status assessment. (CO 1, 2, 3)
2. Recognize normal and abnormal findings for mental status. (CO 2, 3)
3. Demonstrate appropriate history taking and examination techniques for the neurological system. (CO 1, 2, 3)
4. Discriminate between normal, age-related, and abnormal findings for the neurological system. (CO 4, 5, 6)

Module Activities

Below is an outline of the items for which you will be responsible throughout the module.

Task | Activity | Due Date | Module Learning Objective Alignment
Optional Readings & PowerPoints | eBook readings from Jarvis Physical Examination & Health Assessment (7^th ed.) are found in the Sherpath weekly modules. PowerPoints are also available for each lesson. |  | 1, 2, 3, 4
Sherpath Lessons
- Lesson # 26
- Lesson # 27
- Lesson # 28
- Lesson # 29
- Lesson # 30
- Lesson # 31
1, 2, 3, 4
Simulations:

- Assessing Mental Status
- Assessing the Neurologic System

Discuss
Class Discussion: Complete the simulation and document your findings as a discussion post.  You should contribute your first post no later than Day 3. Then, follow up on the post of one other classmate and any faculty or peer responses to your own posts.
Day 3 - 7
1, 2, 3, 4
Submit | Case Study # 3 | Day 7 | 1, 2 OR 3, 4