Is it MSK or are you dying?
RLQ pain + fever + rebound tenderness is classic for this condition
appendicitis
this is the primary sensory system used for quick postural corrections on firm, stable surfaces
somatosensory system
RUQ
hoarseness lasting longer than 2-3 weeks suggests dysfunction of this CN
CN X (recurrent laryngeal branch)
this DTR grade has no visible movement but change in tone
1+
abdominal pain + pallor, tachycardia, and hypotension indicates this emergent condition
internal bleeding
these two values are the cutoff scores for a 10-meter walk test indicating fall risk and ADL dependence
less than 1 m/s = fall risk ; less than 0.6 m/s = ADL dependent
palsy of this nerve can be indicated by the eye being pulled medially with inability to abduct
CN VI (abducens)
tonue deviation toward one side on protrusion indicates a lesion on this side
same side
uvula and soft palate evaluation during "ahh" testing assess these nerves
CN IX and X (glossopharyngeal and vagus)
bruits over renal arteries or midline may indicate this condition
renovascular pathology or AAA
this is a test evaluating dynamic balance using functional walking tasks
FGA (functional gait assessment)
this high-pitched inspiratory breath sound indicates upper airway obstruction
stridor
bone conduction > air conduction on Rinne test suggests this pathology
conductive hearing loss
spasticity, hyperreflexia, and pathological reflexes indicate this type of lesion
UMN
this is the clinical triad for AAA on auscultation/exam
bruit + pulsatile abdominal mass + back pain
these systems are most relied on in low-light or visually restrictive environments
somatosensory/vestibular
a patient has diminished patellar reflex but strong achilles reflex. this root level may be impaired
L3-4
loss of both temporal visual fields (bitemporal hemianopsia) suggests pathology at this structure
optic chiasm
eyebrow raise, eye closing, smile, and pucker test which nerve
CN VII facial
this is the most common skin cancer, often pearly, raised, bleeding, or scar-like
basal cell carcinoma
VOR (vestibulo-ocular reflex)
vertical nystagmus indicates this type of lesion
central lesion
sudden, painless monocular vision loss requires immediate referral for this suspected pathology
retinal artery occlusion
atrophy is a sign of lesion here
LMN