SN1 Cranial nerve assessment checklist .pdf

Cranial nerve assessment

1. SN I: Cranial Nerve Assessment
Pneumonic: On Old Olympus towering top a Finn and German viewed some hops (Name of nerve)
Pneumonic: Some say marry money but my brother says bad boys marry money (Function of Nerve)
No Cranial
Nerve
(Name)
Sensory
Motor
Mixed
Functions Methods to Assess
CNI Olfactory Sensory Smell Ask client to identify different non irritating aromas such
as coffee and vanilla.
CN
II
Optic Sensory Vision Use Snellen chart or ask client to read printed material
while wearing glasses.
CN
III
Oculomotor Motor Eyelid and
eyeball
movement
Assess 6 directions of gaze. (EOM)
Measure pupil reaction to light reflex and
accommodation.
CN
IV
Trochlear Motor Innervates
superior oblique
eye muscle,
Turns eye
downward &
laterally
Assess 6 directions of gaze. EOM
CN
V
Trigeminal Sensory
and
Motor
Chewing
Face and mouth
touch and pain
Lightly touch cornea with wisp of cotton. Assess corneal
reflex. Measure sensation of light pain and touch across
skin of face. Palpate temples as client clenches teeth.
CN
VI
Abducens Motor Turns eye
laterally.
Proprioception
(sensory
awareness of part
of body)
Assess directions of gaze.
CN
VII
Facial Sensory
and
Motor
Control facial
expression.
Secretion of tears
and saliva
Ask client to smile, frown, puff out cheeks, raise and
lower eyebrow; Check asymmetry. Give client to taste salt
or sweet in front of tongue.
CN
VIII
Vestibulo
cochlear
(auditory)
Sensory Hearing &
Equilibrium
sensation
Assess ability to hear spoken word.

2. CN
IX
Glosso
pharyngeal
Sensory
and
Motor
Taste
Senses carotid
blood pressure
Muscle sense
proprioception,
(sensory
awareness of the
body)
Ask client to identify sour or sweet taste on back of
tongue.
Use tongue blade to elicit gag reflex.
CN
X
Vagus Sensory
and
Motor
Senses aortic
blood pressure,
Slows heart rate
Stimulates
digestive organs,
Taste
Ask client to say “ah”. Observe palpate and pharynx
movement.
Assess speech for hoarseness.
CN
XI
Spinal
Accessory
Motor Controls
trapezius and
sternocleidomast
oid
controls
swallowing
movements.
Muscle sense -
proprioception
Ask the client to shrug shoulders and turn head against
passive resistance.
CN
XII
Hypoglossal Motor Controls tongue
movements
Muscle sense -
proprioception
Ask client to stick out tongue to midline and move it from
side to side.

Reference: Quigley (2012) Health Assessment
Ms. Shanaz Cassum ( MScN, RN, RM)