2. What the clinician must assess

A complete assessment addresses each of the following each visit, scaled to the patient's diagnosis and stability:

• Level of consciousness and mental status — alertness and orientation (detailed cognition in Cognitive / Mental Status).
• Cranial-nerve screen — facial symmetry, speech, swallowing, pupils (equality and reactivity), and extraocular movements and visual fields.
• Motor function — strength by major muscle group with side-to-side symmetry, pronator drift, and tone.
• Sensory screen — light touch and gross sensation (detailed sensory mapping in Touch / Sensation).
• Coordination — finger-to-nose and rapid alternating movements.
• Gait and balance (assessed with Function and Safety).
• Speech — dysarthria or aphasia (with Communication), and any headache, dizziness, or seizure activity.
• Signs of an acute stroke (a F.A.S.T. / BE-FAST screen) and any focal deficit or change from the patient's neurologic baseline.