The Medical Media Review

The 3-Minute Neurological Examination Done in Two Minutes Flat!

• By Mark Yoffe MD
• 12 May, 2011
• No Comments

The 3 Minute Neurological Examination is an excellent screening neuro exam which is executed with nearly impeccable skill in two minutes flat. The explanation section, which follows the demonstration, is excellent too!

Tests/commands performed are:

1. With eyes closed: Romberg test (proprioception).
2. With eyes opened: tandem gait (heel-to-toe walking).
3. Walk on tip toes (power test of plantar flexion).
4. Walk on heels (power test of dorsiflexion).
5. With eyes closed: test for pronator drift (pyramidal tracts, test for neglect).
6. Finger-to-nose test (light touch (!), cerebellar function).
7. With eyes opened: “play the piano” (pyramidal function).
8. Rapid tapping or alternating movements (test for ataxia).
9. With eyes closed: “screwing” eyelids shut tightly (Cranial Nerve VII, upper)
10. With eyes opened: observe pupillary reflex in response to eyes opening (CN II, III).
11. Grin (Cranial Nerve VII, lower).
12. Stick tongue out (Cranial nerve XII).
13. Rapid tongue movements (test for pseudobulbar palsy).
14. Visual fields by confrontation (Cranial Nerve II).
15. Eye movements (Cranial Nerves III, IV & VI).
16. Reflexes (supinators, biceps, patellar, ankle jerk).
17. Babinski (pyramidal tract).
18. Funduscopy (bilaterally, in twelve seconds flat!).

Hat tip to  Life in the Fast Lane.

Please let me know if you know the name of the physician who performed this demonstration!

by Mark Yoffe MD

[The 3-Minute Neurological Examination Don in Two Minutes Flat! was posted in The Medical Media Review on May 12, 2011 and was updated on January 1, 2013. Please read important Disclaimer.]