Cranial Nerve Assessment (Exam #2) Flashcards
WIth the patient’s eyes closed, test their sense of smell from an item such as coffee or soap (or alcohol).
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve by doing this?
CN I - Olfactory
The nurse uses a snellen chart to test visual acuity in a patient, and instructs them to cover one eye and look at the letters. The nurse also asks the patient to count how many fingers she is holding up about 6 inches in front of the patient.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN II - Optic nerve
The nurse instructs the patient to close one eye and look at her nose. The nurse then moves her index finger to check the superior and inferior fields one at a time.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN II - Optic nerve
The nurse dims the light in the patient’s room and checks the patients pupil size, and to check if the pupils are equal size, round, reactive to light, and accommodating.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN III - Oculomotor nerve
The nurse instructs the patient to follow her finger while moving it downward towards his nose.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN IV - Trochlear nerve
The nurse is assessing the motor function of the temporal and masseter muscles by assessing jaw opening strength. The nurse can also check the corneal reflex with a cotton wisp if need be.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN V - Trigeminal nerve
The nurse instructs the patient to look toward each ear, and then has him follow her fingers through the 6 cardinal fields of gaze.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN VI - Abducens nerve
The nurse is assessing the patient for facial symmetry & has him wrinkle his forehead, close his eyes, smile, pucker his lips, show his teeth, and puff out his cheeks
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN VII - Facial nerve
The nurse does the whisper test while assessing a patient. She also checks hearing by rubbing her fingers together by each ear.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN VIII - Acoustic nerve
The nurse observes the patients ability to swallow by noting how he handles secretions. The nurse then asks the patient to open his mouth and say “AHHHHH”.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve(s)?
CN IX - Glossopharyngeal nerve
CN X - Vagus nerve
The nurse asks the patient to raise his shoulders against her hands to assess the trapezius muscle. The nurse then asks the patient to turn his head against your hand to assess the sternocleidomastoid.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN XI - Spinal accessory nerve
The nurse asks the patient to stick out his tongue.
The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?
CN XII - hypoglossal nerve
