CS: how in the world can you do neuro exam in 3-5 minutes?

[Saladin MD]

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FA says you have 3-5 minutes to do the examination...How can you do the entire neuro exam in 3-5 minutes ALONG with the lungs/heart/abdominal auscultation and abdominal palpation?

Seems impossible. Mini-mental state exam takes at least 1-2 minutes. Cranial nerves takes another two minutes. Reflexes at least 30 seconds if you do it at super speed...Motor strength takes at least 1-2 minutes...Sensory 1 minute....Cerebellum another minute...

So that's just neuro taking at least 6 minutes....and you still have to auscultate the lungs and heart....and abdominal palpation...

How is this humanly possible? Please answer quickly, as I have the exam in two days haha. Thanks.

 

[J1515]

FA says you have 3-5 minutes to do the examination...How can you do the entire neuro exam in 3-5 minutes ALONG with the lungs/heart/abdominal auscultation and abdominal palpation?

Seems impossible. Mini-mental state exam takes at least 1-2 minutes. Cranial nerves takes another two minutes. Reflexes at least 30 seconds if you do it at super speed...Motor strength takes at least 1-2 minutes...Sensory 1 minute....Cerebellum another minute...

So that's just neuro taking at least 6 minutes....and you still have to auscultate the lungs and heart....and abdominal palpation...

How is this humanly possible? Please answer quickly, as I have the exam in two days haha. Thanks.

Cranial nerves shouldn't take two minutes. You should be able to blow through them in 45 seconds - 1 minute. Sensory should be under a minute. Motor strength takes 25 seconds (just "pull towards me, push out towards you" for arms then feet - done) Don't bother doing MMSE - just write it in your plan. Lungs and heart should take 60 seconds max. Don't bother with abdominal exam if it's a neuro complaint.

 

[Saladin MD]

Alright thanks...I tried it again and streamlined it ... seems like I'll be ok but I'm just skipping some steps...

 

[45408]

Alright thanks...I tried it again and streamlined it ... seems like I'll be ok but I'm just skipping some steps...

FA points out - they reward efficiency over 100% completeness. Don't bother with extensive exam skills in a very brief encounter. You just don't have the time.

 

[Saladin MD]

FA points out - they reward efficiency over 100% completeness. Don't bother with extensive exam skills in a very brief encounter. You just don't have the time.

Yeah, thanks. That's what I ended up doing. Worked out ok I think.