The nurse is assessing a patient's cranial nerve III. What ...

[09madisonrousseau09]

The nurse is assessing a patient's cranial nerve III. What technique is best?
 
  a. Have patient identify a common scent with closed eyes.
  b. Shine a light into the patient's eyes to assess pupil response.
  c. Have the patient read a newspaper or use the Snellen chart.
  d. Assess if patient can hear both spoken and whispered words.

Question 2

A nurse is assessing a patient's cranial nerves and notes an abnormal response to testing cranial nerve VI. What action by the nurse is best?
 
  a. Ask the patient about recent facial trauma.
  b. Inform the provider immediately.
  c. Document findings in the patient's chart.
  d. Have the patient frown and lift the eyebrows.

[jonathanballen97]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve) is assessed by observing the patient's pupil size and reaction to light and the direction of gaze. Identifying a common scent would test cranial nerve I. Assessing the patient's visual acuity tests cranial nerve II. Assessing hearing is cranial nerve VIII.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Cranial nerve VI (abducens) is responsible for outward gaze of the eyes. Abnormal findings could indicate a fracture of the orbit or a brain tumor. The nurse asks the patient questions related to these two conditions. The provider needs to be informed and the nurse must document, but first the nurse conducts a thorough assessment. Frowning and lifting the eyes assesses cranial nerve VII.

[09madisonrousseau09]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[parshano]

Gracias!