CRANIAL NERVES - MedSurg

Question 1

Cranial Nerve I

Answer 1

Olfactory (S)
Smell

Usually deferred in an emergency cranial nerve exam. Alternate holding nostrils closed and having the patient smell something distinctive

Question 2

Cranial nerve II

Answer 2

Optic (S)
Vision

Pt should be able to see clearly, distinguish accurately, identify # of fingers being held up

Question 3

Cranial nerve III

Answer 3

Oculomotor (M)
Raise eyelids, move eyeballs, PERRLA

Question 4

Cranial nerve IV

Answer 4

Trochlear (M)
Move eyes down

Question 5

Cranial nerve V

Answer 5

Trigeminal (B)
Chewing, facial sensation, corneal reflex

Ask if pt feels touch bilaterallyAbducens
Abduct eyes

Left eye will look at left ear

Question 6

Cranial nerve VI

Answer 6

Abducens (M)
Abduct eyes

Left eye will look at left ear

Question 7

Cranial nerve VII

Answer 7

Facial (B)
Facial sensation, closure of eyes

Have pt clench teeth, raise eyebrows, close eyes tight, puff out cheeks

Question 8

Cranial nerve VIII

Answer 8

Auditory vestibular (S)
Hearing, equilibrium

Ask pt if they can hear you speaking, ask if they’re dizzy

Question 9

Cranial nerve IX

Answer 9

Glossopharyngeal (B)
Gag reflex, swallowing

Swallowing without aspiration, have pt swallow some water

Question 10

Cranial nerve X

Answer 10

Vagus (B)
Gag reflex, swallowing, speech

Have pt open wide, soft palate elevated, strong cough
Have pt say ahhhh
Give a good cough

Question 11

Cranial nerve XI

Answer 11

Spinal accessory nerve (M)
Shoulder movement, head rotation

Shrugging shoulders, turn head side to side

Question 12

Cranial nerve XII

Answer 12

Hypoglossal (M)
Tongue movement, speech

Ask pt to stick out tongue, should me midline