The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a client. She asks the client to smile, close both eyes, and frown. Which cranial nerve (CN) is the nurse testing?
CN V is the trigeminal nerve responsible for sensory function. The nurse tests the nerve by asking the client to close his eyes and then randomly touching the client’s face with a cotton ball. The client indicates whenever she feels the sensation. Motor function of CN V is tested by asking the client to clench her teeth and open and close her mouth several times. CN VII is the facial nerve and is tested by asking the client to smile, close both eyes, frown, puff cheeks, raise eyebrows, or show teeth. CN VIII is the vestibulocochlear nerve. Hearing loss or tinnitus is indicative of deficits with the cochlear branch of the nerve. Vertigo indicates a deficit of the vestibular branch. CN XI is an accessory nerve and is tested by asking the client to shrug her shoulders.
