cranial nerve testing cheat sheat

sports med

Olfactory

(Smell)

sense of smell

-Have the client close their eyes, occlude one nostril at a time, and ask the client to identify a familiar scent

Optic

(Vision)

Visual acuity

- ask client to read printed material at ~14 inches. Test each eye separately, then both eyes.

Oculomotor

(Eye Movement and pupils)

eye movement, pupil reaction, eyelid elevation

-Shine a penlight to check direct and consensual pupillary response test accommodation (near - far object )

Trochlear

(Eye movement)

downward and inward eye movement

-have client follow penlight through vertical and diagonal movements

Trigeminal

(Face Sensation and Chewing)

facial sensation, corneal reflex, mastication

-light touch (cotton) to forehead/cheeks/jaw sharp vs dull sensation. Hot vs Cold sensation. light touch to lateral sclera (corneal reflex)

Abducens

(Eye abduction)

lateral eye movement

-follow penlight through six cardinal fields of gaze

Facial

(Facial Expression and taste)

facial movement, taste (2/3 tongue)

-ask client to smile, frown, raise eyebrows, puff checks, close eyes tightly

Vestibulocochlear

(Hearing and balance)

hearing and equilibrum

-stand behind patient with their eyes closed. snap fingers R vs L observe gait and balance

glossopharygeal

(swallow and gag)

swallowing, palate elevation, gag reflex

-ask client to say “ah“ and then swallow

Vagus

(voice and swallowing)

speech, swallowing, autonomic control

-ask client to speak (high pitch/low pitch tone )

Accessory

(head and shoulder movement)

shoulder shrug, head rotation

-shrug shoulders against resistance. Turn head against resistance

Hypoglossal

(Tongue Movement)

Tongue movement and speech

-stick out tongue. move side to side.