3. SESSION 3.2 Cranial Nerves: Function & Assessment Flashcards
Cranial Nerve 2
- Name (S or M?)
- Functions (3)
Cranial Nerve 2: OPTIC NERVE (S) Functions: - Visual Acuity - Visual fields - Ocular fundi.
Cranial Nerve I
- Name (S or M?)
- Function (1)
Cranial Nerve I: OLFACTORY (S)
Function: SMELL
Cranial Nerve 3
- Name (S or M?)
- Functions (2)
Cranial Nerve 3: OCULOMOTOR (M)
- Pupillary reaction
- Extraocular movements
Cranial Nerve 3
Assessment (4)
Cranial nerve 3: Oculomotor (S):
- Palpebral fissures are usually equal in width or nearly so.
- Check pupils for size, regularity, light reaction and accommodation. - Assess extraocular movements by the cardinal positions of gaze.
- Assess for nystagmus (only normal in extreme / end point gaze)
Cranial Nerve 1
Assessment (1)
Cranial Nerve 1: OLFACTORY (S)
- Present pt with familiar, non-irritating odors.
- Seldom included in routine neurological exam.
Cranial Nerve 2
Assessments (3)
Cranial nerve 2: OPTIC NERVE (S) Assessment
- Test visual acuity
- Test visual fields by confrontation
- When indicated, use the opthalmoscope to examine the optic fundus.
Cranial Nerve IV
- Name (S or M?)
- Function
Cranial Nerve IV: TROCHLEAR (M)
- Extraocular Movements
Cranial Nerve VI
- Name (S or M?)
- Function (1)
Cranial Nerve VI: Abducens
Function: Extraocular Movements
Cranial Nerve IV
Assessment
Trochlear Nerve (M)
Whisker test
Cranial Nerve V
- Name (S or M?)
- Function
Cranial Never V: TRIGEMINAL (S&M)
- Corneal Reflexes
- Facial Sensation
- Jaw movements
Cranial Nerve V
Assessment
Cranial Nerve V: TRIGEMINAL
To assess MOTOR:
- Palpate the temporal and masseter muscles as pt clenches teeth.
- Try to separate jaws by pushind down on the chin.
- Muscles should feel equally strong bilaterally.
To Assess SENSORY:
- Have pt close eyes. Touch forehead, chin, and cheeks bilaterally while patient says, “now” each time touch was felt.
Cranial Nerve VII
- Name (S or M?)
- Function
Cranial Nerve VII: FACIAL (S&M)
Function: Facial Movements
Cranial Nerve VI
Assessment
Cranial Nerve VI: ABDUCENS (M)
Whisker Test
Cranial Nerve VII
Assessment
Note mobility and facial symmetry as the person responds to the following requests:
- Smile
- Frown
- Puff out cheeks
- Raise eyebrows
- Close eyes and keep them closed against my attempts to open them
Cranial Nerve VIII
- Name (S or M?)
- Function
Cranial Nerve VIII: VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR (S)
Function - Acoustic. Hearing.
Cranial Nerve VIII
Assessment
Assess hearing acuity. If hearing loss is present…
- Test for lateralization (Weber test)
- Compare air and bone conduction (Rinne test)
**Note: Specific tests of vestibular function are seldom included in the routine neurological examination.
Cranial Nerve IX
- Name (S or M?)
- Function
Cranial Nerve IX: Glossopharyngeal (S & M)
Function: Swallowing, rise of the palate, gag reflex.
Cranial Nerve IX
Assessment
Cranial Nerve IX: GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL (S&M)
- Assess the patient’s ability to swallow
- Check the voice for a hoarseness or nasal quality
- Ask the person to say “ahh” or to yawn as you watch the movements of the soft palate and pharynx. The uvula should remain midline.
- Test the gag reflex by touching the back of the throat lightly.
Cranial Nerve X
- Name (S or M?)
- Function
Cranial Nerve X: VAGUS NERVE (S&M)
Functions: Swallowing, rise of the palate, gag reflex
Cranial Nerve X
Assessment
Cranial Nerve X: VAGUS NERVE (S&M)
IDENTICAL ASSESSMENT TO CN IX
Cranial Nerve IX: GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL (S&M)
- Assess the patient’s ability to swallow
- Check the voice for a hoarseness or nasal quality
- Ask the person to say “ahh” or to yawn as you watch the movements of the soft palate and pharynx. The uvula should remain midline.
- Test the gag reflex by touching the back of the throat lightly.
Cranial Nerve XI
- Name (S or M?)
- Function
Cranial Nerve XI: ACCESSORY / SPINAL ACCESSORY (M)
- Movement of the trapezius muscles
Cranial Nerve XI
Assessment
Cranial Nerve XI: ACCESSORY (M) Assessment:
- Ask patient to shrug both shoulders upward against your hands. Note the strength and contraction of the trapezii.
- Ask the person to turn his head to each side against your hand. Note the strength and contraction of the OPPOSITE sternomastoid.
Cranial Nerve XII:
- Name (S or M?)
- Function
Cranial Nerve XII: HYPOGLOSSAL (M)
- Function: Voice and speech, tongue movement.
Cranial Nerve XII
Assessment
Cranial Nerve XII: HYPOGLOSSAL (M) Assessment:
- Listen to the articulation of the person’s words.*
- Ask the person to stick out tongue. Note any asymmetry, atrophy, or deviation from the midline.
*Precise articulation also depends on CN V, VII and X.
