Cranial nerve testing

Question 1

test for odor identification

Answer 1

CN I Olfactory

Question 2

Test for visual acuity, test visual fields, perform aphthalmologic examination

Answer 2

CN II Optic

Question 3

Test pupil size and equality

Answer 3

CN III Oculomotor

Question 4

Tested when looking toward nose during visual field testing

Answer 4

CN IV Trochlear

Question 5

Inspect face for atrophy or tremors; palpate jaw for tone and strength; test for pain and sensation; test corneal reflex

Answer 5

CN V Trigeminal

Question 6

Tested when looking laterally

Answer 6

CN VI Abducens

Question 7

Inspect facial symmetry; test tongue for salt and sweet

Answer 7

CN VII Facial

Question 8

Test hearing; compare bone and air conduction; test for sound lateralization (puff cheeks, raise eyebrows, rub fingers together and move laterally from ear until unable to hear it- should be equal)

Answer 8

CN VIII Acoustic

Question 9

Test tongue for sour and bitter; test gag reflex and swallow

Answer 9

CN IX Glossopharyngeal

Question 10

Inspect palate and uvula for symmetry; inspect palate and uvula for symmetry; inspect for difficulty swallowing; evaluate guttural speech sounds

Answer 10

CN X Vagus

Question 11

Test trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle strength

Answer 11

CN XI Spinal accessory

Question 12

Inspect tongue for symmetry/tremors/atrophy; test tongue movement; test tongue strength; evaluate lingual speech sounds

Answer 12

CN XII Hypoglossal