Nursing Assessment of Cranial Nerves

Introduction

• Presentation by Sarah from Register Nurse RN.
• Focus on assessing cranial nerves 1 through 12.
• Importance of providing privacy, performing hand hygiene, and explaining procedures to the patient.

Cranial Nerve 1: Olfactory Nerve

• Function: Sense of smell.
• Assessment:
  • Have the patient close eyes.
  • Present a pleasant-smelling substance.
  • Ask the patient to identify the smell.

Cranial Nerve 2: Optic Nerve

• Tests:
  • Confrontation Visual Field Test: Assess peripheral vision.
    • Patient and examiner cover opposite eyes, patient identifies fingers in different fields.
  • Visual Acuity Test: Use a Snellen chart.
    • Patient stands 20 feet away, reads lines with each eye separately and then both.
    • 20/20 vision explained.

Cranial Nerve 3, 4, 6: Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducent Nerves

• Tests:
  • Involuntary Eye Movement (Nystagmus): Use pin light in six cardinal fields of gaze.
  • Pupil Reaction to Light: Dim lights, check pupil constriction with pin light.
  • Accommodation: Check pupil constriction and eye crossing when focusing on a moving object.
  • Documentation: PERRLA (Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation).

Cranial Nerve 5: Trigeminal Nerve

• Function: Responsible for mastication.
• Assessment:
  • Palpate masseter and temporal muscles as patient clenches teeth.
  • Test jaw opening against resistance.

Cranial Nerve 7: Facial Nerve

• Assessment:
  • Observe facial expressions: eyes tightly closed, smile, puff cheeks.

Cranial Nerve 8: Vestibulocochlear Nerve

• Assessment:
  • Whisper test: Cover one ear, whisper words, patient repeats.

Cranial Nerve 9: Glossopharyngeal Nerve

• Assessment:
  • Patient says "ah", observe uvula movement.
  • Test gag reflex.

Cranial Nerve 10: Vagus Nerve

• Assessment:
  • Ability to talk without hoarseness, ability to swallow.

Cranial Nerve 11: Accessory Nerve

• Assessment:
  • Patient moves head side to side, up and down.
  • Shrug shoulders against resistance.

Cranial Nerve 12: Hypoglossal Nerve

• Assessment:
  • Stick out tongue, move it side to side.

Conclusion

• Video covers a comprehensive nursing assessment of cranial nerves.
• Encouragement to watch a full head-to-toe assessment video.
• Reminder to subscribe for more educational content.