2026/2027
Which of these measures of visual acuity would the nurse assess when testing the optic nerve
(CN II)? Select all that apply.
1. Far vision
2. Near vision
3. Visual fields
4. Size of the optic disc
5. Shape of the optic disc
6. Texture of the optic disc - Answers Ans: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Far vision
Far vision is a measure of visual acuity that the nurse would examine when testing the optic
nerve (CN II).
Near vision
Near vision is a measure of visual acuity that the nurse would examine when testing the optic
nerve (CN II).
Visual fields
The nurse would test visual fields using confrontation. This is a measure of visual acuity that
would be assessed during testing of the optic nerve (CN II).
Size of the optic disc
The nurse would use the ophthalmoscope to examine the ocular fundus to determine the size of
the optic disc. This will help the nurse to assess visual acuity when testing the optic nerve (CN
II).
,Shape of the optic disc
The nurse would use the ophthalmoscope to examine the ocular fundus to determine the shape
of the optic disc. This will help the nurse to assess visual acuity when testing the optic nerve
(CN II).
Texture of the optic disc
The texture of the optic disc is not something the nurse would examine to assess visual acuity
when testing the optic nerve (CN II). The texture of the optic disc is not relevant to
measurement of visual acuity.
The nurse would inspect which aspect of the eyelids as part of the assessment of the cranial
nerves of the eyes?
1. Color
2. Temperature
3. Ability to retract
4. Tendency to droop - Answers Ans: 4
Color
The color of the eyelid would be assessed on inspection, but it is not part of the assessment of
the cranial nerves of the eye.
Temperature
The temperature of the eyelid is a palpation finding and is not part of the assessment of the
cranial nerves of the eyes.
Ability to retract
The ability of the eyelid to retract would be assessed on inspection, but it is not part of the
assessment of the cranial nerves of the eye.
,Tendency to droop
The tendency for the eyelids to droop is an important part of the assessment of the cranial
nerves of the eyes.
Which elements would the nurse assess to evaluate cranial nerve XII?
1. Speech sounds
2. Smell
3. Vision
4. Swallowing - Answers Ans: 1
Speech sounds
The nurse would evaluate the quality of lingual speech sounds to assess cranial nerve XII.
Smell
The nurse would assess a patient's smell to evaluate cranial nerve I, not XII.
Vision
The nurse would assess a patient's vision to evaluate cranial nerve II, not XII.
Swallowing
The nurse would assess a patient's ability to swallow to evaluate cranial nerve IX, not XII.
Which elements should be assessed to evaluate the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)? Select all
that apply.
1. Gag reflex
, 2. Hearing
3. Swallowing
4. Secretion of saliva
5. Ability to turn head - Answers Ans: 1, 3
Gag reflex
The nurse would assess the patient's gag reflex to evaluate the glossopharyngeal nerve.
Hearing
The nurse would assess the patient's hearing to evaluate cranial nerve VIII, not IX.
Swallowing
The nurse would assess the patient's ability to swallow to evaluate cranial nerve IX as it
innervates the muscles used to swallow.
Secretion of saliva
The nurse would assess a patient's secretion of saliva to evaluate cranial nerve VII, not IX.
Ability to turn head
The nurse would assess the patient's ability to turn the head to evaluate cranial nerve XI, not IX.
Which olfactory element would the nurse evaluate as part of the assessment of the olfactory
nerve (CN I)?
1. Size of nose
2. Symmetry of nose
3. Taste perception