CN - You tell me
This is the method for testing CN I function.
What is covering one nostril and asking the patient to identify familiar scents through the other?
These two tests are used to evaluate the cochlear component of CN VIII.
What are the Weber and Rinne tests?
This is the method for testing cranial nerve XI function.
What is asking the patient to shrug their shoulders (trapezius) and turn their head against light resistance (SCM)?
This is a common mistake when evaluating CN II.
What is forgetting to ask about eye glasses or contacts?
A young man expresses concern that he cannot taste anything on the anterior part of his tongue. You will perform an assessment on...
What is CN IX
This cranial nerve function (specific) is assessed by asking the patient to recite lines of small letters of text off a screen or chart.
What is visual acuity via CN II?
This is light touch application at the 3 sensory divisions (forehead, cheek, jaw).
What is testing the sensory components of CN V?
These are abnormal findings during examination of CN XII.
What is ipsilateral tongue deviation, atrophy, weakness, and fasciculations?
This is a common mistake when evaluating CN I.
What is using obscure or less recognizable agents? (ie. not coffee, peppermint, etc.)
Upon assessment of these nerves, you find nystagmus and ptosis.
What are CN III, IV, VI
CN IV is isolated by asking the patient to move the eye ____ and _____.
What is "down" and "in."
The sensory component of CN VII is tested in this manner.
What is application of general tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty) to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue?
This reflex test involves only CN IX and X.
What is the gag reflex test?
These are 2 of the common mistakes when assessing the function of cranial nerves III, IV, and VI.
What is performing the exam too close to the patient, moving too fast for the eyes to follow the target, or allowing the patient to move their head?
A positive Romberg test is a normal/abnormal finding and indicates...
What is Abnormal; cerebellar ataxia (from multiple sclerosis, alcohol intoxication), loss of proprioception, and loss of vestibular function.
This exam technique (name and explanation) is responsible for identifying Marcus Gunn pupil.
What is the swinging flashlight test? (will also accept pupillary light reflex)
Hearing sensitivity is a result of a lesion to this cranial nerve. (with explanation)
What is CN VIII due to innervation of the stapedius muscle?
These are some of the abnormalities one would find during a physical exam of CN X. (at least 3)
What is ipsilateral palate depression, deviation of uvula away from lesion, swallowing abnormalities, speech abnormalities, abnormal gag reflex?
These are some of the common mistakes when testing the corneal reflex of CN V? (at least 2)
What is touching conjunctiva instead of cornea, not accounting for diminished sensation in contact lens wearing patients, and triggering the reflex unintentionally by the examiner's movement.
Asking the patient to say the words "babe, made, woo, ahh, light, tight" is testing the motor components of these cranial nerves.
What are CN VII, IX, X, XII?
This visual fields of CN II are assessed in this manner.
How is Bell's palsy distinguished from other possible neurological problems.
Affects both upper and lower face and on one side.
A patient with a CN X lesion would present with this abnormality when asked to puff out their cheeks.
What is air escape?
This is a common mistake when evaluating CN XII.
What is mistaking a facial paralysis/asymmetry for a tongue asymmetry during protrusion?
Main parasympathetic nerve of the body travels to the heart, respiratory muscles, stomach and gallbladder. Receives sensory information from the carotid body.
What is CN X or Vagus nerve.