cranial nerves

how to test cranial nerve I

Close both eyes and push one nostril closed and have them smell something (pleasant) to identify it. Check each side. If they can't smell, they can't smell danger! So we need to make sure they have smoke detectors in their house in case of fire. Smell can also affect the way you taste.

how to test tongue movement

Stick out your tongue your done!! Make sure tongue is not flat on one side or curved in on one side. Use a tongue blade to push down on each side.

how to test sensory

With the patient's eyes closed, we are going to get them to identify light touch. Use a gauze to touch three parts of their face. Ophthalmic which is above their eye, ophthalmic maxillary which is your cheek, and then the mandibular with is under their lip. We do it on both sides of the face and see if they can feel them.

a 2 with verbal response, what can the patient do?

no words only sounds

how to check motor function in the face?

Get them to clinch their teeth and we are going to feel that muscle then get them to open their mouth against resistance.

bow to test crorneal reflex

Get them to make faces at us like raise their eye brows, close their eyes tightly, make them smile, make them frown, puff out their cheeks, keep their eyes closed without resistance. We are looking for their sensory. If they had a stroke or bell's palsy, some of these sensory movements they can't do.

CN IX CN X test what

Glossopharyngeal and vagus gag and cough reflexes

Romberg tests

Have the pt stand still with their eyes closed for 30 seconds. When they first close their eyes, they may sway a little bit and that is normal. But if they start to sway a lot and almost fall, that would be a positive Romberg test and that's abnormal.

CN III test what

Oculomotor

how to test gag and cough reflexes

Test with a tongue blade by touch the sides of the pharynx or soft palate to make sure they can gag. If the pt is intubated, we can test this by bringing the suction down to see if they will gag or cough.

CN I test what? what to do?

This is a test of the nose and smell

how to test visual field

We have them stand arm's length away, have them look at our nose, then we hold fingers out to the side so they can tell you how many fingers you are holding up. You will do this in all 6 fields of gaze.

how to test hearing for cranial nerve VIIII

We stand behind the patient and rub your fingers together and get closer and closer to their ear to see when they can hear it. You can do it on both sides. You can also whisper common words to see if they can repeat what you said by holding a finger to close one ear so you can test each ear.

how to test visual acuity?

We use a chart; they stand 6 feet away and have them read all the letters. Check one eye at a time. Then check them together.

cranial nerve VI

abducens

CN XI test what?

accessory movement so shoulder movement

craniel nerves III. IV, VI makes what doe tricks?

eyes, We need to check their 6 fields of gaze and have them follow with their eyes and we are seeing if we see any movement while they are doing this. Any jumpiness. check PERRELA Eye drooping

what does VIIII test? 2

hearing balance

what will be if the pt withdraws to pain

if they try to move away from pain

what does cranial nerve CN VII test 2

motor and test discrimination

CN V test what

sensory, motor, and corneal reflex

how to test if the patient responds to localized pain for a 5 response

slap your hand to the pain

a 3 with verbal response, what can the patient do?

talk but its not coherent

Hyoglossal nerver CN XIIII test what

tongue movement

cranial IV

trochlear

a 4 with verbal response, what can the patient do?

very disoriented speech

what does optic nerve II test

visual field and acuity

how to test for pain with eye opening

we can pinch them (may take them 30 secs before a response)