Cranial nerves (health assessment check off)

CN 1 (Olfactory)

function: supplies the chemoreceptor to the nose for smell

test: patient closes eyes and tells you what they smell

CN 2 (Optic)

function: supplies the photoreceptor cells of the retina

test: use Snellen chart and cover one eye at a time and state vision (example: 20/20)

20/20 vision: you can see clearly at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 20 feet.

CN 3 (Oculomotor)

function: supplies muscles to the eyeball and eyelid

test: PERRLA (use pen light to ensure the both pupils are constricting to light always ensure BOTH pupils are constricting)

CN 4 (Trochlear)

function: eye movement

test: move fingers in all 6 cardinal directions AND in the middle to ensure eyes cross

CN 5 (Trigeminal)

function: sensory, motor, and muscles for mastication

tests:

1. have patient close eyes and place something on the face to ensure they can feel it

2. have patient clench their jaw to test muscles

CN 6 (Abducens)

function: eye movement

test: move fingers in all 6 cardinal directions

CN 7 (Facial)

function: face expression

test: have patient smile and blow up cheeks

CN 8 (Vestibulocochlear/Acoustic)

function: hearing and balance

tests:

1. Whisper test: have patient cover one ear at a time and whisper two syllable word behind patient then ask patient what they hear (tests for hearing acuity)

2. Rinne test: use tunneling fork placed on the patient mastoid process and when the client does not hear the sound, note the time interval and move it in front of the external ear. When the patient no longer hears the sound, note the time interval (testing to ensure air conduction is greater than bone conduction)

3. Weber test: use a tunneling fork placed on center of forehead and ask if the patient hears noise equally in both ears (testing for conductive hearing loss)

4. Romberg test: with patients feet together arms at the side, close eyes for 20 seconds. Observe for swaying (testing for equilibrium)

CN 9 (Glossopharyngeal)

function: tounge and throat (motor and sensory). These supply the back of the tounge and the soft palate

test: push down on the tounge with the depressor and have patient say “AH” and state that the uvula and soft palate have an equal rise

CN 10 (Vagus)

function: supplies the parts of the abdominal cavity

test: no test for this cranial nerve

CN 11 (Accessory)

function: head, neck, shoulder movement and swallowing

test: rotate head and apply resistance and have patient shrug their shoulders

CN 12 (Hypoglossal)

function: muscles to the tongue (speech, shewing and swallowing)

test: have the patient stick their tongue out and move tongue up, down, side to side