Cranial Nerves Assessment
Cranial Nerve I: Olfactory
With the client’s eyes closed, the nurse tests one of the client’s nostrils at a time; the client occludes the other with a finger. The nurse asks the client to identify familiar odors, such as coffee, tobacco, mint, or soap. Alcohol sponges and ammonia are not used because they stimulate the trigeminal nerve rather than the olfactory nerve.
Cranial Nerve II: Optic
Each eye is tested individually, with the other eye covered but open. The nurse tests central vision, or visual acuity, using the Snellen chart. Clients are tested with and without glasses. Visual fields or peripheral vision are assessed by asking the client to focus on the nurse’s nose. The nurse wiggles one finger of each hand in the superior field, asking the client where the movement is. The client should see movement on both sides. This is then repeated with the inferior field.