Cranial Nerve Exam

Front 1

I Olfactory

Back 1

Sensory - Sense of Smell - Identify different smells like vanilla and coffee

Front 2

II Optic

Back 2

Sensory - Visual acuity - Use Snellen chart or ask client to read printed materials while wearing glasses

Front 3

III Oculomotor

Back 3

Motor - Extraocular eye movement and pupil constriction and dilation - Assess directions of gaze

Front 4

IV Trochlear

Back 4

Motor - Upward and downward movement of eyeballs - Measure pupillary reaction to light reflex and accommodation.

Front 5

V Trigeminal

Back 5

Sensory and Motor - Sensory nerve to skin of face - Lightly touch cornea with cotton, Measure sensation of light pain and touch across skin of face. - Motor nerve to muscles of jaw - Palpae temples as clinet clenches teeth.

Front 6

VI Abducens

Back 6

Motor - Lateral movements of eyeballs - Assess directions of gaze

Front 7

VII Facial

Back 7

Sensory and motor - Facial expression - look for asemmetry while client smiles, frowns, puffs out cheeks and raises and lowers eyebrows.

Front 8

VIII Auditory

Back 8

Sensory - Hearing - Asses ability to hear spoken word

Front 9

IX Glossopharyngeal

Back 9

Sensory and motor - Taste and Ability to swallow - Identify taste. Use tongue blade to elicit gag reflex.

Front 10

X Vagus

Back 10

Sensory and motor - Sensation of pharynx - Ask client to say "ah." Observe movement of palate and pharynx.

Front 11

XI Spinal accessory

Back 11

Motor - Movement of head and shoulders - Ask client to shrug shoulders and turn head against passive resistance

Front 12

XII Hypoglossal

Back 12

Motor - Position of tongue - Ask client to stick out tongue to midline and move it from side to side.