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CRANIAL NERVES | NP ASSESSMENT Exam 2026-2027 BANK
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100% Latest Already
Graded A+
1. A 56-year-old male presents with acute onset of double vision and
inability to adduct his right eye. Which cranial nerve is most likely
involved?
A) Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
B) Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
C) Abducens nerve (CN VI)
D) Optic nerve (CN II)
Answer: C) Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Explanation: The abducens nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle,
which abducts the eye. Isolated CN VI palsy causes horizontal diplopia
worse on ipsilateral gaze and inability to abduct the affected eye. CN III
palsy affects adduction, elevation, and depression with ptosis and
mydriasis, while CN IV affects vertical gaze and torsion.
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2. During a neurologic assessment, the nurse practitioner asks the
patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance. Which cranial nerve
is being evaluated?
A) CN IX
B) CN X
C) CN XI
D) CN XII
Answer: C) CN XI (Spinal accessory nerve)
Explanation: The spinal accessory nerve provides motor innervation to
the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Shoulder shrug tests
trapezius function, while head turning against resistance tests the
sternocleidomastoid. CN IX and X are involved in swallowing and
phonation, and CN XII controls tongue movement.
3. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the afferent limb of the
pupillary light reflex?
A) CN II
B) CN III
C) CN IV
D) CN V
Answer: A) CN II (Optic nerve)
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Explanation: The pupillary light reflex involves an afferent pathway via
the optic nerve (CN II) to the pretectal nucleus and an efferent
parasympathetic pathway via the oculomotor nerve (CN III) to the
pupillary sphincter. CN II carries visual input; CN III mediates pupillary
constriction.
4. A patient presents with decreased corneal reflex on the right side.
Which cranial nerve is most likely affected as the afferent pathway?
A) CN V1 (Ophthalmic division of trigeminal)
B) CN VII
C) CN V3 (Mandibular division of trigeminal)
D) CN VI
Answer: A) CN V1 (Ophthalmic division of trigeminal)
Explanation: The corneal reflex involves CN V1 (afferent) carrying
sensation from the cornea to the brainstem and CN VII (efferent)
causing blink via the orbicularis oculi. Loss of the corneal reflex on one
side suggests a lesion of CN V1 (sensory) or CN VII (motor), but the
afferent defect is CN V1.
5. A patient reports difficulty chewing and a sensation of facial
numbness over the cheek. Which cranial nerve is likely affected?
A) CN V3 (Mandibular division)
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B) CN V2 (Maxillary division)
C) CN VII
D) CN IX
Answer: B) CN V2 (Maxillary division)
Explanation: The maxillary division (V2) of the trigeminal nerve provides
sensation to the cheek, upper lip, nasal mucosa, and maxillary teeth.
The mandibular division (V3) provides motor function for mastication
and sensation to the lower face and jaw. CN VII is for facial expression,
and CN IX is for the pharynx and tongue.
6. Which cranial nerve exits the skull through the jugular foramen and
provides parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland?
A) CN VII
B) CN IX
C) CN X
D) CN XI
Answer: B) CN IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve)
Explanation: The glossopharyngeal nerve provides parasympathetic
innervation to the parotid gland via the otic ganglion. It exits through
the jugular foramen along with CN X and XI. CN VII innervates the
submandibular and sublingual glands. CN X is vagus, and CN XI is spinal
accessory.
CRANIAL NERVES | NP ASSESSMENT Exam 2026-2027 BANK
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100% Latest Already
Graded A+
1. A 56-year-old male presents with acute onset of double vision and
inability to adduct his right eye. Which cranial nerve is most likely
involved?
A) Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
B) Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
C) Abducens nerve (CN VI)
D) Optic nerve (CN II)
Answer: C) Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Explanation: The abducens nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle,
which abducts the eye. Isolated CN VI palsy causes horizontal diplopia
worse on ipsilateral gaze and inability to abduct the affected eye. CN III
palsy affects adduction, elevation, and depression with ptosis and
mydriasis, while CN IV affects vertical gaze and torsion.
,2|Page
2. During a neurologic assessment, the nurse practitioner asks the
patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance. Which cranial nerve
is being evaluated?
A) CN IX
B) CN X
C) CN XI
D) CN XII
Answer: C) CN XI (Spinal accessory nerve)
Explanation: The spinal accessory nerve provides motor innervation to
the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Shoulder shrug tests
trapezius function, while head turning against resistance tests the
sternocleidomastoid. CN IX and X are involved in swallowing and
phonation, and CN XII controls tongue movement.
3. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the afferent limb of the
pupillary light reflex?
A) CN II
B) CN III
C) CN IV
D) CN V
Answer: A) CN II (Optic nerve)
,3|Page
Explanation: The pupillary light reflex involves an afferent pathway via
the optic nerve (CN II) to the pretectal nucleus and an efferent
parasympathetic pathway via the oculomotor nerve (CN III) to the
pupillary sphincter. CN II carries visual input; CN III mediates pupillary
constriction.
4. A patient presents with decreased corneal reflex on the right side.
Which cranial nerve is most likely affected as the afferent pathway?
A) CN V1 (Ophthalmic division of trigeminal)
B) CN VII
C) CN V3 (Mandibular division of trigeminal)
D) CN VI
Answer: A) CN V1 (Ophthalmic division of trigeminal)
Explanation: The corneal reflex involves CN V1 (afferent) carrying
sensation from the cornea to the brainstem and CN VII (efferent)
causing blink via the orbicularis oculi. Loss of the corneal reflex on one
side suggests a lesion of CN V1 (sensory) or CN VII (motor), but the
afferent defect is CN V1.
5. A patient reports difficulty chewing and a sensation of facial
numbness over the cheek. Which cranial nerve is likely affected?
A) CN V3 (Mandibular division)
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B) CN V2 (Maxillary division)
C) CN VII
D) CN IX
Answer: B) CN V2 (Maxillary division)
Explanation: The maxillary division (V2) of the trigeminal nerve provides
sensation to the cheek, upper lip, nasal mucosa, and maxillary teeth.
The mandibular division (V3) provides motor function for mastication
and sensation to the lower face and jaw. CN VII is for facial expression,
and CN IX is for the pharynx and tongue.
6. Which cranial nerve exits the skull through the jugular foramen and
provides parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland?
A) CN VII
B) CN IX
C) CN X
D) CN XI
Answer: B) CN IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve)
Explanation: The glossopharyngeal nerve provides parasympathetic
innervation to the parotid gland via the otic ganglion. It exits through
the jugular foramen along with CN X and XI. CN VII innervates the
submandibular and sublingual glands. CN X is vagus, and CN XI is spinal
accessory.
