Cranial nerve assessment Flashcards
1
Q
How do you test CN XII (hypoglossal)?
A
- check for tongue protusion
- force of tongue against cheek
2
Q
How do you test CN XI (spinal accessory)?
A
- shrug shoulders to check trapezius
- rotate head against resistance to check sternocleidomastoid muscle
3
Q
How do you test CN X (vagus)?
A
- Swallowing
- gag reflex
- say “ah” and note rise of soft palate
- hoarseness
4
Q
How do you test CN IX (glossopharyngeal)?
A
Swallowing
Gag reflex
5
Q
How do you test CN VIII (vestibulocochlear)?
A
- Tuning fork
- head turning with eyes open
- balance with perturbation
6
Q
How do you test CN VII (facial)?
A
- ask patient to move eyebrows up and down, smile, puff cheeks
- taste on anterior tongue
7
Q
How do you test CN VI (abducens)?
A
Move eyes left and right
8
Q
How do you test CN V (trigeminal)?
A
- Sensation of the face
- resistance to opening jaw
9
Q
How do you test CN IV (trochlear)?
A
can patient look down when eyes adducted
10
Q
How do you test CN III (oculomotor)?
A
- Eye movements
- look for ptosis
- pupillary dilation
- pupillary light reflex
11
Q
How do you test CN II (optic)?
A
Vision
12
Q
How do you test CN I (olfactory)?
A
Smell test
