Paediatric Neurological observations
Read the illustrated guide to Neurological observations- child on ClinicalSkills.net here:
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Neurological observations -Child
Always check local guidelines before you practice Neurological observations. Some placement areas will only use supraorbital ridge as a site for painful stimuli as nail bed is not always reliable for assessment.
Please note : you will find different charts for different aged children on placement
Check your Knowledge
Click on the button below to navigate to the 'Take a Test' area of ClinicalSkills.net. Please make sure you're logged into ClinicalSkills.net already, otherwise you may not be able to open and take the test. Once you have reached the 'Take a Test' area, select 'Standard Tests' and then click on the test called 'Observations: Neurological observations in infants and children' and 'SCH/SHU Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)' to begin. You will need to score 80% or more to pass. Make sure you've read the ClinicalSkills.net procedure thoroughly before taking the test as many of the answers will be found within there!
Other Materials
Book: Oxford handbook of clinical skills for children's and young people's nursing
This link will direct you to a textbook that contains a wide variety of clinical skills for children's and youn people's nursing. Chapter 14 of the textbook focuses specifically on the neurological system.
Oxford Handbook of Clinical Skills for Children's & Young People's Nursing
Website: Geeky Medics - Paediatric Neurological Examination
This link provides you to a step-by-step OSCE guide on how to perform a paediatric neurological examination.
Paediatric Neurological Examination - OSCE Guide | Geeky Medics
Embrace Glascow Coma Score (GCS) Chart
This file was designed by the Embrace Transport Team that provides critical care transport services to infant and children throughout the Yorkshire & Humber region of England. The file contains a Glascow Coma Score (GCS) Checklist Example (including a modified GCS example for non-verbal patients)
Date reviewed: November 2022
Next review: November 2023