Cranial Nerves & DTRs

Question 1

What do you always remember to do?

Answer 1

Test both sides!

Question 2

CN 1

What nerve?
How do you test?

Answer 2

Olfactory

(Verbalize) Pt would have eyes closes and identify odors.

Question 3

CN 2

What nerve?
How do you test?

Answer 3

Optic Nerve

1. Use Snellen Eye Chart 14in away, cover one eye
2. Dance fingers from sides of head forward to test peripheral vision.

Question 4

CN 3, 4, 6

What nerves?
How do you test

Answer 4

Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducens

1. Pupil size and reaction to light
2. Large H then back to center

Question 5

CN 5

What nerve?
How do you test? (3)

Answer 5

Trigeminal

1. Palpate temporal and masseter muscles while teeth clenched.
2. Pin prick/light touch over each branch
3. Corneal reflex with cotton wisp on lash

Question 6

CN 7

What nerve?
How do you test?

Answer 6

Facial

Observe facial expressions for symmetry while:

Smiling
Frowning
Raising brows
Puffing cheeks

Question 7

CN 8

What nerve?
How do you test?

Answer 7

Vestibulocochlear

Whisper on either side of ear.

Question 8

CN 9, 10

What nerves?
How do you test? (4)

Answer 8

Glossopharyngeal

1. Use tongue depressor to observe swallowing
2. Assess soft palate movement
3. Assess gag reflex
4. Assess voice quality

Question 9

CN 11

What nerve?
How do you test?

Answer 9

Spinal Accessory

1. Observe trapezius and strength
2. Observe SCM- head to side, place hand on pt face, ask pt look toward you. Observe muscle protrusion.

Question 10

CN 12

What nerve?
How do you test?

Answer 10

Hypoglossal

1. Symmetry
2. Atrophy
3. Midline protrusion of tongue

Question 11

Deep Tendon Reflexes

What muscles do you test (6)

Answer 11

Biceps (C5,6)

Triceps (C6,7)

Supinator (C5,6)

Patellar (L2,3,4)

Achilles (S1)

Plantar (L5,S1)