Cranial Nerves Exam

Question 1

CN I test

Answer 1

Olfactory nerve
Test familiar scents

Question 2

CN II test

Answer 2

Optic nerve
Visual acuity: Snellen Chart
Visual field: check peripherals

Question 3

CN III, IV, VI tests

Answer 3

III=Oculomotor nerve
IV=Trochlear Nerve
VI = Abducens Nerve

Pupillary reactions test: other card
General test: movement in different directions

Abducens test: lateral rectus movement
Trochlear test: superior oblique movement (look at your nostrils)
Oculomotor test: all others

Question 4

What is nystagmus?

Answer 4

Repetitive uncontrolled eye movements

Question 5

Pupillary reactions: Light reflex, consensual reflex, accommodation reflex

Answer 5

All of these are tests for CNIII

Light reflex: if bright light shines on eye, pupil should constrict

Consensual reflex: if one pupil constructs, other constricts

Accommodation reflex: if eyes cross (like when you’re looking at something close to you), pupils constrict

Question 6

CN V components, test

Answer 6

Trigeminal nerve
V1= opthalmic
V2 = Maxillary
V3 = mandibular

Sensory tests: light touch, sharp vs dull, cold

Motor test: jaw clench, jaw jerk, corneal reflex (touch cornea, blink)

Question 7

CN VII components, test

Answer 7

Facial nerve

Parts: Temporal, zygomatic, Buccal, mandibular, cervical

Motor test: movement in the 5 regions

Sensory test: not often, but anterior tongue

Question 8

CN VIII test

Answer 8

Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Balance: not tested
Hearing: rub fingers, Rinne/Weber

Question 9

CN IX And X Test

Answer 9

IX = Glossopharyngeal Nerve
X = Vagus Nerve

Both are Motor and sensory

Test: say “ahh”, watch the soft palate and uvula rise
Gag reflex

Question 10

CN XI test

Answer 10

Accessory nerve
Sternocleidomastoid muscle: head movement side to side

Trapezius: raise shoulders

Question 11

CN XII Test

Answer 11

Hypoglossal

Motor movements of tongue

Observe at rest, protrusion

Watch for deviation, fasciculation (muscle twitch)