What are neuro checks?

Answer 1

Neuro checks are an assessment made by a medical professional on someone with a head injury, cervical injury, nerve function in injury/surgery, or stroke. Neuro checks should be performed once an hour for 24 hours in someone with a head injury. Depending on type of injury any of these checks could be done:

• Level of Consciousness
• A/O and compare it with their baseline
• Speech clarity
• Facial symmetry (smile)
• Tongue midline (stick your tongue out; doesn't deviate to one side)
• Grasp strength
• Have the patient lift their leg up as you try to push it down; compare bilaterally
• Pupil check (PERRLA: pupils equal, round, react to light and accommodation

Neuro checks can be done by someone other than a medical professional in cases of minor head injuries. These assessments should be followed every hour for 24 hours:

• Make sure the person can be awakened
• Make sure the person can walk
• Make sure the person can speak normally
• Make sure the person can move extremities normally

Seek medical attention right away if any of these symptoms are present:

• Poor mental alertness
• Abnormal walking
• Abnormal balance
• Abnormal behavior
• Abnormal pupils
• Abnormal speech
• Abnormal thinking
• Decreased strength in the arms and legs
• Repeated vomiting