CRANIAL NERVES NURSING EXAM 2026 ( CORRECTLY ANSWERED
QUESTIONS)GRADE A+
1. Question
A nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a 66-year-old client admitted
after a suspected transient ischemic attack (TIA). The client reports, “Earlier today
I suddenly couldn’t see things on my left side,” and the nurse notices the client
turns his head to locate objects.
Which action best tests Cranial Nerve II (Optic)?
A. Ask the client to smile and show teeth
B. Assess the gag reflex using a tongue blade
Incorrect
C. Ask the client to shrug shoulders against resistance
D. Assess the client’s visual acuity and visual fields
Correct Answer
Incorrect
Correct Answer: D. Assess the client’s visual acuity and visual fields
,CN II (Optic) is responsible for vision, including visual acuity and peripheral vision.
Testing acuity with a Snellen chart and visual fields with confrontation helps
detect deficits such as hemianopsia or blind spots. This is especially important in
clients with stroke or TIA symptoms.
Option A: Smiling and showing teeth tests CN VII (Facial), which controls facial
expression. This does not assess vision or any sensory pathway related to CN II. A
facial weakness finding would point away from optic nerve dysfunction.
Option B: The gag reflex is mediated by CN IX (Glossopharyngeal) and CN X
(Vagus). It primarily evaluates swallowing and airway protective reflexes. It does
not assess optic nerve function or visual input.
Option C: Shrugging shoulders against resistance assesses CN XI (Spinal
Accessory). CN XI controls the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles for
shoulder elevation and head rotation. This action does not provide information
about visual function.
2. Question
A nurse is assessing a 45-year-old client who reports sudden facial drooping and
inability to close the right eye after a recent upper respiratory infection. The client
says, “Water keeps spilling from my mouth when I drink.”
The nurse suspects Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) dysfunction. Which assessment
finding best supports this suspicion?
, A. Inability to raise the eyebrows evenly
Correct
B. Absent gag reflex during throat stimulation
C. Inability to move the eyes laterally
D. Inability to shrug shoulders against resistance
Correct
Correct Answer: A. Inability to raise the eyebrows evenly
CN VII controls muscles of facial expression including forehead wrinkling, eyebrow
elevation, eyelid closure, and smiling. Weakness in these movements is a classic
sign of facial nerve dysfunction and is often seen with Bell’s palsy or stroke.
Assessment of symmetry helps confirm the deficit.
Option B: The gag reflex is mainly CN IX and CN X and is linked to swallowing and
airway protection. Facial nerve dysfunction does not directly affect the gag reflex.
An absent gag reflex suggests brainstem involvement or swallowing impairment.
Option C: Lateral eye movement is controlled by CN VI (Abducens). A client with
CN VI dysfunction may have diplopia or inability to abduct the eye. This is
unrelated to facial muscle weakness.
QUESTIONS)GRADE A+
1. Question
A nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a 66-year-old client admitted
after a suspected transient ischemic attack (TIA). The client reports, “Earlier today
I suddenly couldn’t see things on my left side,” and the nurse notices the client
turns his head to locate objects.
Which action best tests Cranial Nerve II (Optic)?
A. Ask the client to smile and show teeth
B. Assess the gag reflex using a tongue blade
Incorrect
C. Ask the client to shrug shoulders against resistance
D. Assess the client’s visual acuity and visual fields
Correct Answer
Incorrect
Correct Answer: D. Assess the client’s visual acuity and visual fields
,CN II (Optic) is responsible for vision, including visual acuity and peripheral vision.
Testing acuity with a Snellen chart and visual fields with confrontation helps
detect deficits such as hemianopsia or blind spots. This is especially important in
clients with stroke or TIA symptoms.
Option A: Smiling and showing teeth tests CN VII (Facial), which controls facial
expression. This does not assess vision or any sensory pathway related to CN II. A
facial weakness finding would point away from optic nerve dysfunction.
Option B: The gag reflex is mediated by CN IX (Glossopharyngeal) and CN X
(Vagus). It primarily evaluates swallowing and airway protective reflexes. It does
not assess optic nerve function or visual input.
Option C: Shrugging shoulders against resistance assesses CN XI (Spinal
Accessory). CN XI controls the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles for
shoulder elevation and head rotation. This action does not provide information
about visual function.
2. Question
A nurse is assessing a 45-year-old client who reports sudden facial drooping and
inability to close the right eye after a recent upper respiratory infection. The client
says, “Water keeps spilling from my mouth when I drink.”
The nurse suspects Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) dysfunction. Which assessment
finding best supports this suspicion?
, A. Inability to raise the eyebrows evenly
Correct
B. Absent gag reflex during throat stimulation
C. Inability to move the eyes laterally
D. Inability to shrug shoulders against resistance
Correct
Correct Answer: A. Inability to raise the eyebrows evenly
CN VII controls muscles of facial expression including forehead wrinkling, eyebrow
elevation, eyelid closure, and smiling. Weakness in these movements is a classic
sign of facial nerve dysfunction and is often seen with Bell’s palsy or stroke.
Assessment of symmetry helps confirm the deficit.
Option B: The gag reflex is mainly CN IX and CN X and is linked to swallowing and
airway protection. Facial nerve dysfunction does not directly affect the gag reflex.
An absent gag reflex suggests brainstem involvement or swallowing impairment.
Option C: Lateral eye movement is controlled by CN VI (Abducens). A client with
CN VI dysfunction may have diplopia or inability to abduct the eye. This is
unrelated to facial muscle weakness.
