Basic Neurology Exam  for Non-neurologists
The Neurological Exam...Made Simple
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Welcome!  Below you'll find a number of videos demonstrating how to
perform a simple screening neurological exam.  This level is ideal for medical
students, all residents, all non-neurology practitioners, NPs, PAs, and nurses.  
In the interest of brevity certain parts of the exam (e.g. inspection, mental
status) have not been included.  The Upper Extremity (UE) exam is below.  
The Lower Extremity (LE) is to the left under "Basic Neuro Exam Videos 2."  
Also please check out the "Links, Books, and Tools" section to aid in
everything from directing further reading to neuro note writing templates.  
By Cleveland Clinic Neurologist Craig Brooker
Rating Power
5/5
 Full Power
4/5
 Can overcome
some resistance
but not full power
3/5
 Can overcome
gravity but not any
resistance
2/5
 Can move with
gravity removed
(i.e. side to side)
but not against
gravity
1/5
 Flicker of
movement
0/5
 No movement
Rating Tone
Normal
  
Increased
 Can comment on
spasticity, rigidity,
and any
cogwheeling
Decreased
 Usually flaccid to
some degree
Rating Reflexes
4/4
 Pathological
hyperreflexia with
5 or more beats
of clonus or
upgoing toe
3/4
 Brisk reflexes,
may see spread
2/4
 Normal Reflexes
1/4
 Decreased
reflexes
(technically
requiring
distraction
technique like
Jendrassic to elicit
reflexes)
0/4
 No reflexes even
with distraction
techniques

Cranial Nerve
 Commonly
Tested
Function(s)
I
 Olfactory
 Smell (rarely tested)
II
 Optic
 Fundoscopy, visual
acuity, visual fields,
Pupillary reflexes,
(accomodation
rarely tested)
III
 Oculomotor
 Eye movements
IV
 Trochular
 Eye movements
V
 Trigeminal
 Facial sensation,
muscles of
mastication
VI
 Abducens
 Lateral gaze
VII
 Facial
 Facial expression,
(rarely tested taste
of anterior 2/3rds of
tongue)
VIII
 Vestibulo-
Cochlear
 Hearing (special
tests for cochlear
function)
IX
 Glosso-
pharyngeal
 Gag reflex, palate
elevation
X
 Vagus N.
 Gag reflex, palate
elevation, uvula
position (lesion
opposite side of
deviation)
XI
 Axillary N.
 Trapezius (shoulder
elevation, neck
turning)
XII
 Hypoglossal
 Tongue position
(lesion same side as
deviation; "lick
your wounds")
1.)  Cranial Nerve Exam
2.) Upper Extremity Power (Strength)
3.) Upper Extremity Tone, Reflexes
4.) Upper Extremity Sensation:
     Light Touch, Pin prick, Vibration, Proprioception
5.) Upper Extremity Coordination