Cranial Nerve Assessment

Question 1

Cranial nerve #1

Answer 1

Olfactory - sensory

Eyes closed identify smells

Question 2

Cranial nerve #2

Answer 2

Optic - Sensory

Blurred vision

Question 3

Cranial nerve #3

Answer 3

Oculomotor - Motor

Upper eyelid droop, eye deviation, pupil constriction

Question 4

Cranial nerve # 4

Answer 4

Trochlear - motor

Downward an inward eye movement.

Question 5

Cranial nerve #5

Answer 5

Trigeminal - mixed
Sensory - surface of eye, upper eyelid, upper teeth gum and lip, forehead nose.
Motor - clench teeth, chewing motion

Question 6

Cranial nerve #6

Answer 6

Abducens - motor

Lateral eye movement

Question 7

Cranial nerve #7

Answer 7

Facial - mixed
Sensory - anterior 1/3 of tongue
Motor - smile, puff out cheeks, raise and lower eyebrows

Question 8

Cranial nerve #8

Answer 8

Acoustic - sensory
Occlude one ear, whisper in the other.
Balance/equilibrium

Question 9

Cranial nerve #9

Answer 9

Glossopharyngeal - mixed

For 9 and 10 observe symmetrical elevation when the pt says aaah. Gag reflex, swallowing.

Question 10

Cranial nerve #10

Answer 10

Vagus - mixed

Movement of uvula and soft palate, swallowing, phonation.

Question 11

Cranial nerve #11

Answer 11

Spinal accessory - motor

Push chin against hand, shrug shoulders against hands, turn head against hand (unless spinal trauma suspected)

Question 12

Cranial nerve #12

Answer 12

Hypoglossal - motor

Stick tongue straight out

Question 13

Posterior circulation stroke

Answer 13

More subtle, look for:
Unilateral headache
Dysphasia
Diplopia
Vertigo
Ataxia
Cranial nerve deficit
Visual field deficits
Bilateral limb weakness