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Nursing Knowledge
The cranial nerves are twelve pairs of nerves that originate in the brain and control a variety of functions including sensory perception, motor control, and autonomic functions.
| Nerve | # | Function |
| Olfactory | I | Smelling |
| Optic | II | Vision |
| Oculomotor | III | Eye movementPupillary constrictionAccommodationEyelid opening |
| Trochlear | IV | Eye movement (up & down, back & forth) |
| Trigeminal | V | Facial sensationTastingJaw movements |
| Abducens | VI | Abduction of eyes |
| Facial | VII | Facial expressions and tasting |
| Vestibulocochlear | VIII | HearingBalance |
| Glossopharyngeal | IX | Tasting and swallowing |
| Vagus | X | DigestionHeart rate |
| Accessory | XI | Movement of head and shoulders |
| Hypoglossal | XII | Tongue movements |
| Cranial nerve | Mnemonic | Sensory (S), Motor (M), or both (B) |
| Olfactory | Only | Some |
| Optic | One | Say |
| Oculomotor | Of | Marry |
| Trochlear | The | Money |
| Trigeminal | Two | But |
| Abducens | Athletes | My |
| Facial | Felt | Brother |
| Vestibulocochlear | Very | Says |
| Glossopharyngeal | Good | Big |
| Vagus | Victorious | Brains |
| Accessory | And | Matter |
| Hypoglossal | Healthy | More |
CNs are named and numbered in Roman numerals according to their location, from the front to the back of the brain.
Assess CNs three, four and six to see if the eyes do tricks.
The cranial nerves are assessed through specific tests during a neurological examination.
Cranial nerve dysfunction can significantly impact a client’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. As a nurse, you might need to assist with feeding if the client has difficulty swallowing, or provide safety measures for clients with vision or balance problems. It's also important to provide emotional support, as changes in functions like speech, swallowing, and facial expression can be distressing.
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