Assessment Final Review Exam And
Actual Verified Answers.
Cranial Nerve I - Olfactory - Answer Class-Sensory
Major Function- Smell
Assessment- Have patient identify a familiar scent with eyes closed
Cranial Nerve II- Optic - Answer Class-Sensory
Major Function- Vision (acuity and field of vision); pupil reactivity to light and accomodation (afferent
impulse)
Assessment- Have patient read from a card or newspaper, 1 eye at a time. Test visual fields by having
patient cover one eye, focus on your nose, and identify the number of fingers you're holding up in each
of 4 visual quadrants.
Cranial Nerve III-
Oculomotor - Answer Class-Motor
Major Function-eyelid elevation; most EOMs; pupil size and reactivity (efferent impulse)
Assessment- Check pupillary responses by shining a bright light on one pupil; both pupils should
constrict. Repeat with the other eye. To check accommodation, move your finger toward the patient's
nose; the pupils should constrict and converge. Check EOMs by having pt. look up, down, laterally, and
diagonally
Cranial Nerve IV- Trochlear - Answer Class- Motor
Major Function- EOM (turns eye downward and laterally)
Assessment- Have patient look down and in
Cranial Nerve V- Trigeminal - Answer Class- Both
Major Function- Chewing; facial and mouth sensation; corneal reflex (sensory)
, Assessment- Ask pt to hold the mouth open while you try to close it and move the jaw laterally against
your hand. With pt's eyes closed, touch his/her face with cotton and have them identify the area
touched. In comatose patients, brush the cornea with a wisp of cotton; the patient should blink
Cranial Nerve VI- Abducens - Answer Class- Motor
Major Function- EOM (turns eye laterally)
Assessment- Have patient move the eyes from side to side
Cranial Nerve VII- Facial - Answer Class- Both
Major Function-Facial Expression; taste; corneal reflex (motor); eyelid and lip closure
Assessment- Ask patient to smile, raise eyebrows, and keep eyes and lips closed while you try to open
them. Have patients identify salt or sugar placed on the tongue (usually deferred)
Cranial Nerve VIII- Acoustic/Vestibulocochlear - Answer Class- Sensory
Major Function- Hearing; equilibrium
Assessment- to test hearing, use tuning fork or rub your fingers, place a ticking watch, or whisper near
each ear. Equilibrium testing is usually deferred
Cranial Nerve IX- Glossopharyngeal - Answer Class- Both
Major Function- Gagging and swallowing(sensory); taste
Assessment- Touch back of throat with sterile tongue depressor or cotton-tipped applicator. Have patient
swallow
Cranial Nerve X- Vagus - Answer Class- Both
Major Function- Gagging and swallowing (motor); speech (phonation)
Assessment- Assess gag and swallowing with CN IX. Assess vocal quality.
Cranial Nerve XI- Spinal Accessory - Answer Class- Motor
Major Function- Shoulder movement; head rotation
Assessment- Have pt shrug shoulders and turn head from side to side (not routinely tested)