Cranial Nerves Assessment
Cranial Nerve XI: Spinal Accessory
The nurse assesses the strength of the client’s sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles by having the client turn the head against resistance.
Cranial Nerve XII: Hypoglossal
The nurse tests motor innervation to the tongue by asking the client to stick out the tongue. The nurse checks for deviation to one side or the other. The tongue deviates toward the same side where the lesion has occurred in the brain.