During the head-to-toe nursing assessment, you will be assessing the cranial nerves. In this article, I want to break down how to assess cranial nerves I through XII (1-12) as a nurse. Show Why do we assess cranial nerves? In short, to see if the neuron/nerve works! Why wouldn’t a cranial nerve “work”? In many neuro diseases, the neurons that supply a particular nerve is damaged, which makes the nerve not function properly. For example, in multiple sclerosis the myelin sheath of the neurons in the central nervous system are damaged, which leads to some sensory and motor problems. Many patients with MS can have speech and vision problems. The vision problems are from damage to the optic nerve that can lead to nystagmus, blurry vision, double vision etc. Therefore, you can assess this nerve (cranial nerve II) for any type of abnormalities. Cranial Nerve Examination VideoCranial Nerve Examination for Nurses During the Head-to-Toe AssessmentCranial Nerve ITo test cranial nerve I..….olfactory nerve: Have the patient close their eyes and place something with a pleasant smell under the nose and have them identify it. Cranial Nerve IITo test cranial nerve II….optic nerve: Perform the confrontation visual field test and visual acuity test with a Snellen chart. Confrontation Visual Field Test Assesses peripheral vision:
Visual Acuity: use a Snellen chart and have patient wear glasses or contact lenses if they normally wear them
Results: If the patient can read line 8, their vision is 20/20, which means that the patient can see the same line of letters at 20 feet that a person with normal vision can see at 20 feet. However, let’s say the patient can only read line 6 with the left eye, which means the patient has 20/30 in this eye. This means the patient can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 30 feet. Cranial Nerve III, IV, VITo test cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve), IV (trochlear), VI (abducens):
If all these findings are normal you can document PERRLA. Cranial Nerve VTo test Cranial Nerve V…..trigeminal nerve: This nerve is responsible for many functions and mastication is one of them.
Cranial Nerve VII
Cranial Nerve VIIITo test cranial nerve VIII…vestibulocochlear nerve:
Cranial Nerve IX and XTo test cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus) have patient say “ah”…the uvula will move up (cranial nerve IX intact) and if the patient can swallow with ease and has no hoarseness when talking, cranial nerve X is intact. Cranial Nerve XITest cranial nerve XI….accessory nerve: Have the patient move head from side to side and up and down and shrug shoulders against resistance. Cranial Nerve XIITest cranial nerve XII….hypoglossal: have patient stick tongue out and move it side to side More nursing skills |