Week 1

The Neurological Exam

Mentation

Posture and gait

Postural reactions

Cranial nerve evaluation

Spinal reflexes

Palpation

Localisation

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Recognise the rationale for performing a neurological examination

Accurately perform a detailed neurological examination and determine if the case is neurological

Understand the findings of the neurological examination and how that leads to the localisation of the lesions

Week 2

Emergency Triage

Initial patient triage

Head trauma management

Acute spinal cord injury management

Emergency seizure management

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand how to triage and assess neurological emergency patients

Recognise abnormalities and signs of raised intracranial pressure Assess and manage spinal trauma patients

Know what to prepare and how to manage an emergency seizure patient

Week 3

Intracranial Disease

Pathophysiology

Intracranial pressure

Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO)

Hydrocephalus

Vestibular disease

Neoplasia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe how to recognise and manage raised intracranial pressure

Discuss the clinical signs of hydrocephalus and be able to manage patients with this presentation

Know the presentation, diagnosis, management and outcome of patients with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin

Week 4

Spinal Cord Injury

Intervertebral disc disease

Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE)

Surgical vs medical management

Vertebral abnormalities

Nursing management

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Know and understand the common causes of spinal cord injury and demonstrate an awareness of diagnostic and management options

Discuss the surgical options available to spinal patients Understand why medial management is an option for some patients

Know the nursing management required for spinal patients

Week 5

Neuromuscular Disease

Myasthenia Gravis

Polyradiculoneuritis

Myositis

Complications and risks

Nursing care

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the cause, presentation, diagnostics and treatment for the most common neuromuscular presentations

Describe the complications and risks associated with each of the diseases

Know the nursing care required for each of the discussed neuromuscular diseases

Week 6

Nursing Care for Neurological Patients

Bladder and faecal management

Skin care

Exercise considerations

Handling techniques

Physiotherapy

General nursing care for hospitalised patients

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe bladder management techniques and how to manage overflow incontinence and faecal incontinence

Appropriately handle and move neurological patients with a range of conditions

Understand the most appropriate exercise techniques and aids to use with different patients

Discuss physiotherapy techniques and when one may be used over another

Advise and help owners with long term home care plans

Combine knowledge from each of the previous lectures to be able to successfully create care plans for a variety of neurological conditions