The oculovestibular reflex, or cold caloric test,
A) should not be performed on an unconscious patient because of the risk of aspiration.
B) has an abnormal response of rapid nystagmus-like deviation to the side of the body that is tested.
C) is a routine test of the nursing neurologic examination.
D) is one of the final clinical assessments of brainstem function.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The oculovestibular reflex is one of the final clinical assessments of brainstem function.After confirmation that the tympanic membrane is intact, the head is raised to a 30-degree angle.Then 20 to 100 mL of ice water is injected into the external auditory canal.In a normal response, eye movement is in the direction of the injection site.An abnormal response is dysconjugate eye movement, which indicates a brainstem lesion, or no response, which indicates little to no brainstem function.

The Oculovestibular Reflex, or Cold Caloric Test