Grand Canyon University
2 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
EST. 1949
F I N D YO U R P U R P O S E
NSG 316 EXAM 2
N E U R O LO G I C A L A SS E SS M E N T — C RA N I A L N E R V E S & M OTO R SYST E M S
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG 316 EXAM 2 TOTAL QUESTIONS 70 Questions
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cranial nerves, motor function, reflexes, and neurological assessment techniques are all testable
content.
▸ Key terms and definitions from the course are emphasized throughout.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for board review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current nursing education standards.
, SECTION I — NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Questions 1 – 70
1. What is CN I (Olfactory) used to test?
A. Test for smell with familiar odor (not routinely tested)
B. Test visual acuity and visual fields
C. Test eye movement and pupil response
D. Test motor function of facial muscles
CORRECT ANSWER A — Test for smell with familiar odor (not routinely tested)
RATIONALE CN I (Olfactory) tests the sense of smell. It is tested by occluding one nostril at a
time and asking the patient to identify familiar odors. The sense of smell normally
decreases bilaterally with aging, but asymmetry is clinically significant. Anosmia
(loss of smell) can occur with tobacco smoking, allergic rhinitis, and cocaine use.
2. What is a neurologic recheck exam?
A. Persons with demonstrated neurologic deficits who require periodic assessments;
includes LOC, motor function, pupillary response, and vital signs
B. A complete exam for persons with neurologic concerns
C. A screening exam for well persons with no significant findings
D. An exam performed only on patients with head injuries
CORRECT ANSWER A — Persons with demonstrated neurologic deficits who require periodic
assessments; includes LOC, motor function, pupillary response, and vital
signs
RATIONALE A neurologic recheck exam is performed on persons with demonstrated
neurologic deficits who require periodic assessments, such as hospitalized
patients or those in extended care. It includes: 1) Level of consciousness (LOC) —
the single most important factor; 2) Motor function; 3) Pupillary response; and 4)
Vital signs.
,3. What is the Romberg test?
A. Tests motor function and proprioception; ask person to stand with feet together, arms at
sides, close eyes for 20 seconds
B. Tests balance by observing the person walking
C. Tests rapid alternating movements of the hands
D. Tests coordination by touching finger to nose
CORRECT ANSWER A — Tests motor function and proprioception; ask person to stand with feet
together, arms at sides, close eyes for 20 seconds
RATIONALE The Romberg test assesses motor function and proprioception. The patient
stands with feet together and arms at sides, then closes eyes for about 20
seconds. Normally, the patient can maintain posture and balance. A positive
Romberg test (loss of balance with eyes closed) occurs with cerebellar ataxia, loss
of proprioception, and loss of vestibular function.
4. What is the confrontation test used to assess?
A. Gross measure of peripheral vision
B. Visual acuity using the Snellen chart
C. Pupillary light reflex
D. Accommodation reflex
CORRECT ANSWER A — Gross measure of peripheral vision
RATIONALE The confrontation test is a gross measure of peripheral vision. The examiner
stands 2 feet from the patient and uses finger targets to test visual fields. Normal
visual fields are 50 degrees upward, 90 degrees temporal, 70 degrees down, and
60 degrees nasal.
, 5. What does the corneal reflex test?
A. CN V sensory, CN VII motor
B. CN II sensory, CN III motor
C. CN VIII sensory, CN VII motor
D. CN IX sensory, CN X motor
CORRECT ANSWER A — CN V sensory, CN VII motor
RATIONALE The corneal reflex tests CN V (Trigeminal) sensory and CN VII (Facial) motor. A
cotton wisp is brought from the side to lightly touch the cornea. Normally, the
patient blinks bilaterally. This reflex tests the integrity of the sensory and motor
pathways of the face.
6. What is the definition of nystagmus?
A. Back-and-forth fine oscillation movement of the eyes; occurs with disease of the
vestibular system, cerebellum, or brainstem
B. Drooping of the eyelid
C. Double vision
D. Tingling or prickling sensation
CORRECT ANSWER A — Back-and-forth fine oscillation movement of the eyes; occurs with
disease of the vestibular system, cerebellum, or brainstem
RATIONALE Nystagmus is a back-and-forth fine oscillation movement of the eyes. It occurs
with disease of the vestibular system, cerebellum, or brainstem. It is assessed by
noting the pendular or jerk movement, amplitude, frequency, and plane of
movement (horizontal, vertical, rotary, or combination).
2 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
EST. 1949
F I N D YO U R P U R P O S E
NSG 316 EXAM 2
N E U R O LO G I C A L A SS E SS M E N T — C RA N I A L N E R V E S & M OTO R SYST E M S
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG 316 EXAM 2 TOTAL QUESTIONS 70 Questions
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cranial nerves, motor function, reflexes, and neurological assessment techniques are all testable
content.
▸ Key terms and definitions from the course are emphasized throughout.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for board review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current nursing education standards.
, SECTION I — NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Questions 1 – 70
1. What is CN I (Olfactory) used to test?
A. Test for smell with familiar odor (not routinely tested)
B. Test visual acuity and visual fields
C. Test eye movement and pupil response
D. Test motor function of facial muscles
CORRECT ANSWER A — Test for smell with familiar odor (not routinely tested)
RATIONALE CN I (Olfactory) tests the sense of smell. It is tested by occluding one nostril at a
time and asking the patient to identify familiar odors. The sense of smell normally
decreases bilaterally with aging, but asymmetry is clinically significant. Anosmia
(loss of smell) can occur with tobacco smoking, allergic rhinitis, and cocaine use.
2. What is a neurologic recheck exam?
A. Persons with demonstrated neurologic deficits who require periodic assessments;
includes LOC, motor function, pupillary response, and vital signs
B. A complete exam for persons with neurologic concerns
C. A screening exam for well persons with no significant findings
D. An exam performed only on patients with head injuries
CORRECT ANSWER A — Persons with demonstrated neurologic deficits who require periodic
assessments; includes LOC, motor function, pupillary response, and vital
signs
RATIONALE A neurologic recheck exam is performed on persons with demonstrated
neurologic deficits who require periodic assessments, such as hospitalized
patients or those in extended care. It includes: 1) Level of consciousness (LOC) —
the single most important factor; 2) Motor function; 3) Pupillary response; and 4)
Vital signs.
,3. What is the Romberg test?
A. Tests motor function and proprioception; ask person to stand with feet together, arms at
sides, close eyes for 20 seconds
B. Tests balance by observing the person walking
C. Tests rapid alternating movements of the hands
D. Tests coordination by touching finger to nose
CORRECT ANSWER A — Tests motor function and proprioception; ask person to stand with feet
together, arms at sides, close eyes for 20 seconds
RATIONALE The Romberg test assesses motor function and proprioception. The patient
stands with feet together and arms at sides, then closes eyes for about 20
seconds. Normally, the patient can maintain posture and balance. A positive
Romberg test (loss of balance with eyes closed) occurs with cerebellar ataxia, loss
of proprioception, and loss of vestibular function.
4. What is the confrontation test used to assess?
A. Gross measure of peripheral vision
B. Visual acuity using the Snellen chart
C. Pupillary light reflex
D. Accommodation reflex
CORRECT ANSWER A — Gross measure of peripheral vision
RATIONALE The confrontation test is a gross measure of peripheral vision. The examiner
stands 2 feet from the patient and uses finger targets to test visual fields. Normal
visual fields are 50 degrees upward, 90 degrees temporal, 70 degrees down, and
60 degrees nasal.
, 5. What does the corneal reflex test?
A. CN V sensory, CN VII motor
B. CN II sensory, CN III motor
C. CN VIII sensory, CN VII motor
D. CN IX sensory, CN X motor
CORRECT ANSWER A — CN V sensory, CN VII motor
RATIONALE The corneal reflex tests CN V (Trigeminal) sensory and CN VII (Facial) motor. A
cotton wisp is brought from the side to lightly touch the cornea. Normally, the
patient blinks bilaterally. This reflex tests the integrity of the sensory and motor
pathways of the face.
6. What is the definition of nystagmus?
A. Back-and-forth fine oscillation movement of the eyes; occurs with disease of the
vestibular system, cerebellum, or brainstem
B. Drooping of the eyelid
C. Double vision
D. Tingling or prickling sensation
CORRECT ANSWER A — Back-and-forth fine oscillation movement of the eyes; occurs with
disease of the vestibular system, cerebellum, or brainstem
RATIONALE Nystagmus is a back-and-forth fine oscillation movement of the eyes. It occurs
with disease of the vestibular system, cerebellum, or brainstem. It is assessed by
noting the pendular or jerk movement, amplitude, frequency, and plane of
movement (horizontal, vertical, rotary, or combination).
