ABSTRACT
An immediate evaluation of the neurological patient who begins to deteriorate is crucial in recognizing conditions that may threaten the life of the patient or lead to irreversible neurological deficits. The initial patient assessment will identify if the patient is at risk for cardiopulmonary decompensation due to his or her evolving condition and if the patient may benefit from urgent surgical or medicinal intervention to arrest an acute process. As in any field of medicine, determining the etiology of a change in the neurological patient's exam begins with a detailed history and a focused physical examination. This chapter summarizes some of the most common changes that may occur in a neuroscience patient and gives a review of the important historical elements to assess, the neurologic exam to perform, and the diagnoses to consider.
