Cranial Nerve Assessment

Question 1

CN 1

Answer 1

Olfactory
Sensory (Afferent)
Olfaction

Question 2

CN 2

Answer 2

Optic
Sensory (Afferent)
Vision

Question 3

CN III

Answer 3

Oculomotor
Motor (Efferent)
Turns Eye UDI
Constricts pupil
Accommodates Lens

Question 4

CN IV

Answer 4

Trochlear
Motor
Intorsion of the Eye

Question 5

CN V

Answer 5

Trigeminal
Both
Face sensation
Cornea sensation
Anterior tongue sensation
Muscles of mastication
Dampens sound (Tensor Tympani)

Question 6

CN VI

Answer 6

Abducens
Motor (Efferent)
Turns Eye out

Question 7

CN VII

Answer 7

Facial
Both
Ant. tongue taste
Facial expression
Dampens sound (stapedius)
Tearing (lacrimal gland)
Salivation (submandibular & sublingual glands)

Question 8

CN VIII

Answer 8

Auditory/Vestibulocochlear
Sensory
Balance (Semicircular canals, utricle, sacule)
Hearing (organ of Corti)

Question 9

CN IX

Answer 9

Glossopharyngeal
Both
Post. tongue taste
Post. tounge sensation
Oropharynx sensation
Salivation (Parotid gland)

Question 10

CN X

Answer 10

Vagus
Both
Thoracic and abd viscera
Larynx and Pharynx
Decrease HR
Increase GI motility

Question 11

CN XI

Answer 11

Spinal Accessory
Motor (Efferent)
Head movements (SCM & Trapz)

Question 12

CN XII

Answer 12

Hypoglossal
Motor (Efferent)
Tongue shapes & movement

Question 13

Examine olfactory acuity using non-noxious such as lemon oil, coffee, cloves, or tobacco.

Answer 13

CN 1

Question 14

Examine visual activity using a Snellen Chart; both central and peripheral vision is tested.

Answer 14

CN 2

Question 15

Determine equality and size of pupils, reaction to light, presence of strabismus (loss of ocular alignment), ability of eyes to follow a moving target without head movement, presence of ptosis of eyelid.

Answer 15

CN 3, 4, 6

Question 16

Sensory tests of face (sharp/dull discrimination, light touch); open and close jaw against resistance, jaw jerk reflex,

Answer 16

CN 5

Question 17

Examine any asymmetry of face at rest during voluntary contraction.

Answer 17

CN 7

Question 18

Test auditory acuity using a vibrating tuning fork (Weber Test) place on vertex of skull or forehead, rub fingers together at distance and gradually bring toward patient, note distance when first heard; alter volume of conversation

Answer 18

CN 8

Question 19

Test auditory acuity using a vibrating tuning fork (Weber Test) place on vertex of skull or forehead, rub fingers together at distance and gradually bring toward patient, note distance when first heard; alter volume of conversation

Answer 19

CN 8

Question 20

Special Test: Vibrating tuning for placed on mastoid process, then near external ear canal, note hearing acuity.

Answer 20

Rinne’s Test

Question 21

Special Test: Test auditory acuity using a vibrating tuning fork placed on the vertex of the skull or forehead.

Answer 21

Weber’s Test

Question 22

Examine the taste on the posterior one-third of the tongue, and examine gag reflex.

Answer 22

CN 9

Question 23

Examine swallowing; observe the uvula and soft palate for any asymmetry (tongue depressor).

Answer 23

CN 10

Question 24

Examine strength of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

Answer 24

CN 11

Question 25

With the tongue protruded, examine the ability to move the tongue rapidly from side to side.

Answer 25

CN 12