Step 9

Question 1

What cranial nerve does step 9 assess?

Answer 1

(VIII) Vestibulochlear

Question 2

What/how do we assess the vestibulochlear nerve

Answer 2

This is assessing hearing

• Ask the patient if they have had any issues with hearing
• cover one ear and whisper a number into the other ear at approximately 15-20cm and ask them to repeat it.
• repeat this from 60cm
• repeat this with the other ear

Perform rombergs test

Question 3

What is Romberg test and what does it assess ?

Answer 3

This test tests the patents balance

Ask the patient to stand without shoes with their feet together, arms by their side.
Ask the patient to keep eyes open for and then ask them to close their eyes.
The patient should try to maintain balance

patient may wobble initially but should settle themselves if they don’t or are unable to it can be a sign of lesions