Cranial Nerves Assessment Chamberlain College Of Nursing
(2025/2026 Exam) – Verified Questions & Answers (Already
Passed Content)
pupillary reaction to light - CORRECT ANSWER--LIGHT CONSTRICTS PUPILS AND DARKNESS
DILATES PUPILS
-instruct person to focus on distant object
-shine penlight into pupil of one eye (about 8 inches away); observe reaction in both eyes
-NORMALLY: illuminated eye will constrict (direct), and other pupil constricts simultaneously
(consensual)
pupillary reaction to accommodation - CORRECT ANSWER--hold an object at least 8-12
inches from bridge of nose
-have person focus on the object
-bring the object toward the nose, and note constriction of pupils and convergence of eyes
accommodation - CORRECT ANSWER-the eye's adaptation to near vision
trochlear nerve IV - CORRECT ANSWER--number four, motor
-eyes
-assessed w/ EOM's
-6 cardinal fields of gaze, corneal light reflex test, cover-uncover test
trigeminal nerve V - CORRECT ANSWER--number 5, sensory and motor
-sensory: assess sensation of skin of face (use safety pin or cotton tipped applicator), assess
corneal reflex (touch cornea w/ piece of cotton)
-motor: assess lateral jaw movement (move jaw side to side), palpate temporal and masseter
muscles (person clenches teeth while palpating)
, abducens nerve VI - CORRECT ANSWER--number 6, motor
-assess lateral eye movements w/ EOM's
-6 cardinal fields of gaze, corneal eye reflex test, cover-uncover test
facial nerve VII - CORRECT ANSWER--number 7, sensory and motor
-sensory: w/ person's eyes closed, apply a taste on anterior 2/3 of tongue
-motor: assess movement of forehead and mouth; ask person to smile, frown, close both eyes,
wrinkle forehead, puff out cheeks, and raise eyebrows
acoustic nerve VIII - CORRECT ANSWER--number 8, sensory
-whisper test: person plugs the ear that is not being tested --> whisper 2-syllable words slowly
and clearly --> turn and test other ear
glossopharyngeal nerve IX - CORRECT ANSWER--number 9; sensory and motor
-sensory: taste on posterior 1/3 of tongue; instruct person to close eyes and place taste on
posterior third of tongue, person should be able to identify it
-motor: observe uvulva rise and fall symmetrically; client says "ahh" w/ mouth wide open (also
assessed with CN X)
vagus nerve X - CORRECT ANSWER--number 10; sensory and motor
-sensory: taste on posterior 1/3 of tongue
-motor: gag reflex; person extends tongue and says "ahh" --> take tongue blade and touch back
of throat gently --> gag reflex should be initiated
-XI and X usually tested together
spinal accessory nerve XI - CORRECT ANSWER--number 11; motor
(2025/2026 Exam) – Verified Questions & Answers (Already
Passed Content)
pupillary reaction to light - CORRECT ANSWER--LIGHT CONSTRICTS PUPILS AND DARKNESS
DILATES PUPILS
-instruct person to focus on distant object
-shine penlight into pupil of one eye (about 8 inches away); observe reaction in both eyes
-NORMALLY: illuminated eye will constrict (direct), and other pupil constricts simultaneously
(consensual)
pupillary reaction to accommodation - CORRECT ANSWER--hold an object at least 8-12
inches from bridge of nose
-have person focus on the object
-bring the object toward the nose, and note constriction of pupils and convergence of eyes
accommodation - CORRECT ANSWER-the eye's adaptation to near vision
trochlear nerve IV - CORRECT ANSWER--number four, motor
-eyes
-assessed w/ EOM's
-6 cardinal fields of gaze, corneal light reflex test, cover-uncover test
trigeminal nerve V - CORRECT ANSWER--number 5, sensory and motor
-sensory: assess sensation of skin of face (use safety pin or cotton tipped applicator), assess
corneal reflex (touch cornea w/ piece of cotton)
-motor: assess lateral jaw movement (move jaw side to side), palpate temporal and masseter
muscles (person clenches teeth while palpating)
, abducens nerve VI - CORRECT ANSWER--number 6, motor
-assess lateral eye movements w/ EOM's
-6 cardinal fields of gaze, corneal eye reflex test, cover-uncover test
facial nerve VII - CORRECT ANSWER--number 7, sensory and motor
-sensory: w/ person's eyes closed, apply a taste on anterior 2/3 of tongue
-motor: assess movement of forehead and mouth; ask person to smile, frown, close both eyes,
wrinkle forehead, puff out cheeks, and raise eyebrows
acoustic nerve VIII - CORRECT ANSWER--number 8, sensory
-whisper test: person plugs the ear that is not being tested --> whisper 2-syllable words slowly
and clearly --> turn and test other ear
glossopharyngeal nerve IX - CORRECT ANSWER--number 9; sensory and motor
-sensory: taste on posterior 1/3 of tongue; instruct person to close eyes and place taste on
posterior third of tongue, person should be able to identify it
-motor: observe uvulva rise and fall symmetrically; client says "ahh" w/ mouth wide open (also
assessed with CN X)
vagus nerve X - CORRECT ANSWER--number 10; sensory and motor
-sensory: taste on posterior 1/3 of tongue
-motor: gag reflex; person extends tongue and says "ahh" --> take tongue blade and touch back
of throat gently --> gag reflex should be initiated
-XI and X usually tested together
spinal accessory nerve XI - CORRECT ANSWER--number 11; motor
