Cranial Nerves unit 6 NUR 111

Cranial Nerve I

olfactory

Cranial Nerve II

optic

Cranial Nerve III

oculomotor

Cranial Nerve IV

trochlear

Cranial Nerve V

trigeminal

Cranial Neve VI

abducens

cranial nerve VII

facial

cranial nerve VIII

vestibulocochlear

cranial nerve IX

glossopharyngeal

Cranial Nerve X

vagus nerve

Cranial nerve XI

accessory

Cranial Nerve XII

Hypoglossal

Olfactory nerve function

smell

olfactory nerve test

Ask pt to identify pleasant odors occlude each nostril and have pt close eyes ask them to smell and identify scents

Optical nerve function

visual acuity

optical nerve how to test

Have pt read off the letters from Snellen chart

test visual field confrontation by advancing fingers into clients periphery make sure you are sitting at same height as pt and you have one eye closed as well

oculomotor nerve function

• eye movement

• pupil dilation

How to test oculomotor nerve

• Have pt follow finger with eyes

• Test pupillary light reflex

trochlear nerve function

Vertical eye movement (up down)

How to test the trochlear nerve

Have pt follow your finger with their eyes

how to test abducens nerve

Have pt follow your finger with their eyes

Abducens nerve function

lateral eye movement (side to side)

Trigeminal nerve function

• facial sensation

• expression

• chewing

How to test trigeminal nerve

• Clench teeth, move jaw forward and from side to side

• test light sensation with wisp of cotton

Facial nerve function

taste, facial expression

How to test the facial nerve

Smile, frown, show teeth, raise eye brows, close eyes tightly and resist opening

Vestibulocochlear (vestibular) nerve function

• Hearing

• Balance

How to test vestibulocochlear (vestibular) nerve

• Make sure pt understands spoken words and is able to follow direction

• whisper test

Glossopharyngeal nerve function

• taste

• swallowing

How to test the Glossopharyngeal

ask patient to swallow make sure they have the ability to swallow and have some taste when swallowing

vagus nerve function

• throat sensation

• vocal cords

• perisatalsis

• heart/lung/digestive systems

how to test the vagus nerve

• have patient yawn

• have pt say ahh (uvula should rise straight with phonation)

• speech is clear and appropriate (light, tight, dynamite)

accessory nerve function

shoulder and neck movement

how to test the accessory nerve

• shoulder shrug against resistance

• turn head to each side against resistance

hypoglossal nerve function

tongue movement

how to test hypoglossal nerve

protrude tongue, move side to side