NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Cranial Nerves Functions Normal Findings Actual Findings
I. Olfactory Sense of smell
Client must be able to identify the scent when asked Able to identify and differentiate
(Sensory) to smell it with eyes either closed or blindfolded odors like alcohol, and perfume.
II. Optic Sense of vision
Client must see objects clearly at a given distance Able to read news print (12 inches)
(Sensory)
III. Oculomotor Extraocular eye movement;
In lightly dim environment, the pupils of the eyes are
movement of the sphincter of Pupils constricts upon introduction of
dilated but upon introduction of light to the eyes, the
(Motor) the pupils; movement of light to the eyes
pupils constrict
ciliary muscles of the lens
IV. Trochlear Oblique eye movement
Can move eyes upward and
Eyes must follow moving object without difficulty
(Motor) downward movement
V. Trigeminal Sensation of the cornea, skin Opthalmic branch –while client looks upward, lightly Positive blink reflex upon
of face and nasal mucosa, touch lateral sclerae of eye to elicit blink reflex. assessment of Opthalmic branch.
(Sensory and anterior oral cavity, muscles of Mandibular branch –asked client to clench teeth. Able to clench teeth without
Motor) the mastication Maxillary branch –Test sensation with the touch of a difficulty and pain
hemostat (the fine tip provides better localization).
Efferent response is provided by CN VII.
VI. Abducens Lateral movement of the eye
Client must be able to follow the movement of the Was able to follow object laterally
(Motor) object in laterally direction moved
VII. Facial Movement of the muscles of
the face
Client’s facial muscle should work through eliciting
(Sensory and Was able to make different facial
different expressions
Motor) expressions, can wrinkle forehead
Check taste with sugar, salt, or lemon juice on cotton and puff out cheeks.
swabs applied to the lateral aspect of each side of the
Sense of taste on the anterior Was able to identify taste
tongue. Patient must identify each.
two-thirds of the tongue
VIII. Sense of hearing and balance
Vestibulocochle or equilibrium
ar Client must hear ticking of a wrist watch 1-2inches
away from him Was able to hear clearly the ticking
(Sensory) Client must maintain balance in a standing position sound at the given distance
with feet and legs drawn together and eyes closed.
IX. Tongue movement;
Glossopharynge swallowing ability and gag
al reflex
Must be able to swallow foods that were given
Was able to swallow chewed
(Sensory and Check taste with sugar, salt, or lemon juice on cotton crackers given to him
Motor) swabs applied to the lateral aspect of each side of the
Was able to identify taste
tongue. Patient must identify each.
Sense of taste on the posterior
one-third of the tongue
X. Vagus Swallowing; sensation of the
pharynx and larynx; vocal Client must be able to elicit gag reflex with the use
movement and gag reflex Positive gag reflex
(Motor) of a tongue depressor
XI. Accessory Head movement; shrugging of
shoulder Was able to move neck without
Client should rotate and move neck without
difficulty and was able to shrug
(Motor) difficulty. Should be able to shrug shoulders
shoulders
XII. Protrusion and movement of
Hypoglossal tongue
Was able to move tongue without
Client should move tongue without difficulty
difficulty
(Motor)
