Final answer:
The medical assistant should provide assistance and support to the patient with walking difficulty due to nerve damage, ensuring their comfort and safety. The doctor will then perform a neurological examination to diagnose potential central or peripheral nervous system damage, which could indicate a stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
A medical assistant should respond to a patient who has entered the clinic by promptly greeting them and verifying their appointment details. The assistant may then assist the patient with registration and guide them to ensure they are comfortable while waiting for the neurologist. As the patient has difficulty walking due to nerve damage, it is important to make accommodations, such as providing a wheelchair or offering support, to help them navigate the clinic safely.
During the examination, the doctor is likely to assess neurological function through various tests. These tests could include asking the patient to smile, raise their eyebrows, stick out their tongue, and shrug their shoulders, which helps to check cranial nerve function. Muscle strength tests, sensory tests with a pen, and visual field assessments help the doctor to identify any potential deficits in motor control or sensory systems, suggesting central nervous system damage or peripheral nervous system issues.
If a patient demonstrates symptoms like 'pins-and-needles' sensations and partial weakness on one side, known as hemiparesis, it may indicate a neurological condition such as a stroke. An emergency department would follow protocol before further imaging like a CT scan and could begin treatment, for example, with aspirin therapy to prevent blood clots.