Cranial Nerves

Question 1

Mnemonic for cranial nerves I–XII (order)?

Answer 1

“Oh Oh Oh, To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet, AH!”

Question 2

Cranial Nerve I

Answer 2

Olfactory

Question 3

Function of CN I

Answer 3

Smell

Question 4

Loss of smell after head trauma suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 4

Olfactory nerve (CN I)

Question 5

Cranial Nerve II

Answer 5

Optic

Question 6

Function of CN II

Answer 6

Vision

Question 7

Which cranial nerve is tested with visual fields?

Answer 7

Optic nerve (CN II)

Question 8

Cranial Nerve III

Answer 8

Oculomotor

Question 9

Functions of CN III

Answer 9

Eye movement, pupil constriction

Question 10

A patient has ptosis and dilated pupil. Which nerve is affected?

Answer 10

Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

Question 11

Cranial Nerve IV

Answer 11

Trochlear

Question 12

Primary function of CN IV

Answer 12

Eye movement (superior oblique)

Question 13

Which nerve controls downward/inward eye movement?

Answer 13

Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

Question 14

Cranial Nerve V

Answer 14

Trigeminal

Question 15

Functions of CN V

Answer 15

Facial sensation, mastication (chewing)

Question 16

Loss of facial sensation points to which nerve?

Answer 16

Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Question 17

Cranial Nerve VI

Answer 17

Abducens

Question 18

Function of CN VI

Answer 18

Lateral eye movement (lateral rectus)

Question 19

Inability to abduct the eye suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 19

Abducens nerve (CN VI)

Question 20

Cranial Nerve VII

Answer 20

Facial

Question 21

Functions of CN VII

Answer 21

Facial expression, taste (anterior 2/3 tongue), tears, saliva

Question 22

Bell’s palsy affects which nerve?

Answer 22

Facial nerve (CN VII)

Question 23

Cranial Nerve VIII

Answer 23

Vestibulocochlear

Question 24

Functions of CN VIII

Answer 24

Hearing and balance

Question 25

Vertigo and hearing loss point to which nerve?

Answer 25

Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)

Question 26

Cranial Nerve IX

Answer 26

Glossopharyngeal

Question 27

Functions of CN IX

Answer 27

Taste (posterior tongue), swallowing, saliva

Question 28

Difficulty swallowing + taste loss (posterior tongue) suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 28

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Question 29

Cranial Nerve X

Answer 29

Vagus

Question 30

Functions of CN X

Answer 30

Autonomic control, swallowing, speech

Question 31

Which cranial nerve has the greatest parasympathetic influence?

Answer 31

Vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 32

Cranial Nerve XI

Answer 32

Accessory

Question 33

Function of CN XI

Answer 33

Shoulder shrug and head rotation

Question 34

Weak shoulder elevation suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 34

Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Question 35

Cranial Nerve XII

Answer 35

Hypoglossal

Question 36

Function of CN XII

Answer 36

Tongue movement

Question 37

Tongue deviation on protrusion suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 37

Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Question 38

Cranial nerves that are sensory only

Answer 38

CN I, CN II, CN VIII

Question 39

Cranial nerves that are motor only

Answer 39

CN III, IV, VI, XI, XII

Question 40

Cranial nerves that are both sensory and motor

Answer 40

CN V, VII, IX, X

Question 41

Proper technique to test CN I?

Answer 41

Client closes eyes Test each nostril separately Other nostril occluded Identify familiar odors

Question 42

Loss of smell after head trauma suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 42

CN I – Olfactory

Question 43

What tools assess CN II?

Answer 43

Snellen chart Ophthalmoscope Confrontation test

Question 44

How are CN III, IV, and VI tested?

Answer 44

Extraocular movements (EOMs) Pupillary response to light Accommodation

Question 45

Unequal pupils and impaired eye movement suggest damage to which nerve?

Answer 45

CN III – Oculomotor

Question 46

What reflex is checked when shining a light at the bridge of the nose?

Answer 46

Corneal light reflex (CN III)

Question 47

How is the motor portion of CN V tested?

Answer 47

Palpate masseter muscles while client clenches teeth

Question 48

What abnormal findings suggest trigeminal motor dysfunction?

Answer 48

Unequal muscle tension Facial tremor Involuntary chewing Masticatory spasm

Question 49

How is the sensory portion of CN V tested?

Answer 49

Light touch with cotton Pinprick for pain Corneal reflex Oral mucosa sensation

Question 50

Which cranial nerve is tested by the corneal reflex?

Answer 50

CN V (sensory)

Question 51

How is Cranial Nerve VI tested?

Answer 51

Extraocular movements (with CN III & IV)

Question 52

Inability to abduct the eye suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 52

CN VI – Abducens

Question 53

How is the motor portion of CN VII tested?

Answer 53

Raise eyebrows Wrinkle forehead Close eyes Smile, frown Puff cheeks

Question 54

Flaccid facial paralysis suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 54

CN VII – Facial

Question 55

How is the sensory portion of CN VII tested?

Answer 55

Taste (sugar, salt, vinegar)

Question 56

How is Cranial Nerve VIII tested?

Answer 56

Whisper test Audiometer Weber test Rinne test

Question 57

Hearing loss and balance problems suggest damage to which nerve?

Answer 57

CN VIII

Question 58

Which cranial nerves are tested together during throat examination?

Answer 58

CN IX and CN X

Question 59

How is CN X tested?

Answer 59

Say “ah” (uvula rises symmetrically) Gag reflex

Question 60

Failure of uvula elevation suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 60

CN X – Vagus

Question 61

How is Cranial Nerve XI tested?

Answer 61

Shoulder shrug and head rotation against resistance

Question 62

Weak trapezius or sternocleidomastoid suggests damage to which nerve?

Answer 62

CN XI – Accessory

Question 63

How is Cranial Nerve XII tested?

Answer 63

Ask client to protrude tongue

Question 64

Tongue deviation or tremor indicates damage to which nerve?

Answer 64

CN XII – Hypoglossal

Question 65

Mnemonic to differentiate cranial nerves from sensory, motor or both

Answer 65

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