Table of Contents
What is cranial nerve 3 test?
LIGHT REFLEX TESTING When light is directed toward eye, CN II (Optic – sensory nerve) will carry the input to CN III. Light directed toward either eye will immediately stimulate CN III on both sides.
How should nurse assess cranial nerves III IV and VI?

Cranial Nerve III, IV, and VI – Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducens
- Test eye movement by using a penlight. Stand 1 foot in front of the patient and ask them to follow the direction of the penlight with only their eyes.
- Test bilateral pupils to ensure they are equally round and reactive to light and accommodation .
What is the third nerve?

The oculomotor nerve is the third cranial nerve (CN III). It allows movement of the eye muscles, constriction of the pupil, focusing the eyes and the position of the upper eyelid.
What is cranial nerve VII?
A nerve that runs from the brainstem, through openings in the skull, to the face and tongue. The seventh cranial nerve sends information between the brain and the muscles used in facial expression (such as smiling and frowning), some muscles in the jaw, and the muscles of a small bone in the middle ear.
What happens if cranial nerve 3 is damaged?
Background. The oculomotor (third) cranial nerve plays an important role in the efferent visual system by controlling ipsilateral eye movements, pupil constriction, and upper eyelid elevation. Accordingly, damage to the third cranial nerve may cause diplopia, pupil mydriasis, and/or upper eyelid ptosis.
What is the function of cranial nerve 3?
The oculomotor nerve is the third cranial nerve (CN III). It allows movement of the eye muscles, constriction of the pupil, focusing the eyes and the position of the upper eyelid. Cranial nerve III works with other cranial nerves to control eye movements and support sensory functioning.
What is the 3rd cranial nerve?
How should nurses assess for CN VII?
Facial nerve (CN VII) Assess the patient for facial symmetry. Have him wrinkle his forehead, close his eyes, smile, pucker his lips, show his teeth, and puff out his cheeks. Both sides of the face should move the same way. When the patient smiles, observe the nasolabial folds for weakness or flattening.
What happens when cranial nerve 3 is damaged?
Is cranial nerve 3 sensory or motor?
Table of cranial nerves
No. | Name | Sensory, motor, or both |
---|---|---|
II | Optic | Sensory |
III | Oculomotor | Mainly motor |
IV | Trochlear | Motor |
V | Trigeminal | Both sensory and motor |
How to test all 12 cranial nerves?
Cranial nerve examination frequently appears in OSCEs. You’ll be expected to assess a subset of the twelve cranial nerves and identify abnormalities using your clinical skills. This cranial nerve examination OSCE guide provides a clear step-by-step approach to examining the cranial nerves, with an included video demonstration.
How to conduct a cranial nerve examination?
• Ask patient to turn head to one side and push against examiners hand or ask to flex head against resistance, palpate and evaluate strength of sternocleidomastoid muscle. • Evaluate both right and left side, compare for symmetry. CRANIAL NERVES 39 40.
How to assess the cranial nerves?
– Pupils should be round and bilaterally equal in size. The diameter of the pupils usually ranges from two to five millimeters. – Test pupillary reaction to light. – Test eye convergence and accommodation. – The acronym PERRLA is commonly used in medical documentation and refers to, “pupils are equal, round and reactive to light and accommodation.”
What are the 10 cranial nerves?
– I. Olfactory nerve. – II. Optic nerve. – III. Oculomotor nerve. – IV. Trochlear nerve. – V. Trigeminal nerve. – VI. Abducens nerve. – VII. Facial nerve. – VIII. Vestibulocochlear nerve.