Neuro Assessment

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

I'm new at this, so sorry if this sounds dumb. When a kiddo comes in and says they bumped their head how much of a neuro assessment do you do? I check pupils and basic following of directions, but should I be doing more?

Thanks!

Sara

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

i check pupilary size, perrla - pupils round, reactive to light and accomodation.

make sure they are alert and oriented....name, teacher, birthday, name of school, etc.

i always call and make the parent aware of any head injury no mater how "well" they seem to be. have the classroom teacher moniter them closely for the rest of the day as well.

hope this helps !

praiser :heartbeat

[bergren]

The health history provides 85% of the information leading to a disagnosis (Gundy, 1997). Get the details on what happened too. Fall, how far, any witness, lose conciousness, rate head ache scale of 1 - 10 or used the pain scale photos, blurry vision, nausea, etc etc.

When in doubt, call mom and document.

[PvtSchlNurse]

I also recheck the child during the course of the day when they get a bump on the head. I do the neuro check but also if they have a bump, has it changed size, I give an ice pack for bumps and any complaint of headache. The response to the ice pack should be assessed as well. My routine is to recheck half an hour after the first visit then at one hour from the second visit, etc. I also call the parent after the second visit, let them know what happened and how their child is doing. I also have a sheet that I send home that has all the neuro checks, pain level, etc that also includes information on concussion symptoms.