202 Neurology: Patient History, Cranial Nerve Exam, and Vertebrobasilar Safety

Course overview

Describe key principles for conducting an effective patient interview from a chiropractic neurological perspective. Identify the essential components of a thorough patient history, including chief complaint and present illness. Apply a systematic review of body systems to uncover hidden or interrelated patient symptoms. Demonstrate the Mini-Mental State Exam to assess cognitive function and detect early dementia. Describe the anatomy and function of the cranial nerves, including the olfactory nerve and corticobulbar pathways. Identify visual field deficits and eye alignment deviations associated with specific cranial nerve lesions. Demonstrate confrontation testing to assess central and peripheral visual fields. Evaluate pupillary light reflexes and fundoscopic findings to detect optic nerve and retinal pathology. Describe the sensory and motor distribution of cranial nerve V and recognize associated clinical disorders. Differentiate conductive from sensorineural hearing loss when examining cranial nerve VIII function. Examine cranial nerves IX and X by assessing palatal elevation, swallowing, and phonation. Explain the relationship between cervical spinal manipulation and vertebrobasilar neural ischemia. Analyze the hemodynamics of vertebral artery blood flow and the effects of cervical head movements. Recognize the signs, symptoms, and syndromes indicating postadjustive vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Evaluate arguments regarding the risks and continued use of cervical spinal manipulative therapy. Apply lessons from case studies to prepare for and manage postmanipulative vascular complications.