What does non-focal mean?

Answer 1

The term "non-focal," when related to a neurological examination of a patient, typically means the patient is experiencing light-headedness, faintness, dizziness, generalized weakness, maybe some blackouts, with altered or loss of consciousness, and confusion. Other symptoms may include ringing in the ears, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, double vision, and/or loss of balance. Actually, I believe that this is wrong. It means the patient is moving all extremities in a normal fashion as well as walking and talking normally and there is no obvious sign of neuro impairment. This is often used when a detailed neuro exam is not felt to be clinically necessary; there is no suspicion of a neurological problem, so a detailed neuro exam is not performed.