Cranial Nerve Tests
Cranial nerve III
Oculomotor
Cranial nerve VI
Abducens
Cranial nerve XI
Accessory
Test for cranial nerve XII
Ask the patient to stick out their tongue to observe is there is abnormal movement
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve IX)
Both
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve V)
Both
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve VII)
Both
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve X)
Both
Cranial nerve VII
Facial
Cranial nerve IX
Glossopharyngeal
Test for cranial nerve X
Have the patient attempt to swallow, followed by assessing their gag reflex with a tongue depressor, and lastly ask the patient to say "ahh"
Test for cranial nerve IX
Have the patient attempt to swallow, followed by using a tongue depressor to assess their gag reflex
Test for cranial nerve V
Have the patient clench their teeth
Test for cranial nerve VI
Have the patient follow an object to observe if their eyes move side to side
Test for cranial nerve IV
Have the patient follow an object to observe their eyes move down and in
Test for cranial nerve III
Have the patient follow an object to observe their eyes move up, down, and medially
Test for cranial nerve I
Have the patient identify familiar odors
Test for cranial nerve II
Have the patient read the lines on a vision chart, one eye at a time
Test for cranial nerve VII
Have the patient smile with their teeth showing
Cranial nerve I
Olfactory
Cranial nerve XII
Hypoglossal
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve III)
Motor
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve IV)
Motor
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve VI)
Motor
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve XI)
Motor
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve XII)
Motor
Cranial nerve II
Optic
Test for cranial nerve XI
Place your hands on the patient's shoulders and ask them to shrug their shoulders against your hands
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve I)
Sensory
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve II)
Sensory
Sensory or motor (cranial nerve VIII)
Sensory
Cranial nerve V
Trigeminal
Cranial nerve IV
Trochlear
Test for cranial nerve VIII
Use tuning fork held close to patient's ear to assess if they hear the sound (test both sides)
Cranial nerve X
Vagus
Cranial nerve VIII
Vestibulocochlear
