The nurse is performing a neurological assessment and needs to test cranial nerves. The nurse asks the client to close both eyes and report when a touch with a wisp of cotton is felt on their face. Which cranial nerve is the nurse assessing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse is testing the sensory function of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), which supplies sensation to the face. The abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI) controls lateral eye movement, the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) controls facial expression and taste, and the optic nerve (cranial nerve II) controls vision.

The Nurse Is Performing a Neurological Assessment and Needs to Test