CN Examination

Question 1

CN II tests

Answer 1

• pupillary reflex
• fundoscopic exam

CONSCIOUS
visual acuity
visual fields

UNCONSCIOUS
blink to threat

Question 2

symptoms of CN II lesion

Answer 2

• decreased visual acuity
• red desaturation
• monocular blindness
• eye pain
• binocular field defect

Question 3

CN III, IV, VI tests

Answer 3

-pupil size/constriction

CONSCIOUS

• extraoccular movements
• look for ptosis

UNCONSCIOUS
-oculocephalic reflex

Question 4

CN V tests

Answer 4

CONSCIOUS

• pin prick, temperature, light touch, vibration
• jaw strength

UNCONSCIOUS
-corneal/lash reflex

Question 5

CN VII tests

Answer 5

CONSCIOUS

• facial movement
• taste

UNCONSCIOUS
-grimace (put cotton in nose)

Question 6

CN VIII tests

Answer 6

-look for nystagmus

CONSCIOUS
-check hearing

UNCONSCIOUS

• oculocephalic reflex
• cold water calorics

Question 7

CN IX, X tests

Answer 7

-gag reflex

CONSCIOUS

• palate elevation
• bedside swallow

Question 8

CN XI tests

Answer 8

CONSCIOUS

• shoulder shrug
• sternocleidomastoids

Question 9

CN XII tests

Answer 9

CONSCIOUS

• tongue movement
• tongue strength

Question 10

tests to conduct in a comatose patient

Answer 10

• pupils, fundi, blink to threat (II)
• oculocephalics or caloric testing (III, IV, VI, VIII)
• corneal reflex (V, VII)
• grimace (VII)
• gag (IX, X)

Question 11

oculocephalic reflex - what is it? what does it test?

Answer 11

• move head, check to see if eyes stay fixed
• comatose pts
• “steady cam”
• checks medulla thru midbrain
• CN VIII, III, IV, VI

Question 12

cold water caloric testing

Answer 12

• put cold water in ear, eyes deviate TOWARDS cold water

- comatose pts who lack oculocephalic reflexes