Lippincott Nursing Pocket Card - February 2022
The brain is in continuous communication with almost all the cranial nerves (CN) through the spinal cord. The cranial nerves arise directly from the brain – the first two nerves arising from the cerebrum and the remaining ten emerging from the brain stem. They are responsible for carrying information and connecting the brain to different parts of the body. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves, which are assigned Roman numerals I through XII. The numbering is based on the order in which they emerge from the brain and the function they perform. Each cranial nerve is paired and is present on both sides of the brain hemisphere.
Many nursing mnemonics have been developed to help remember the order and function of the cranial nerves. For example, to remember the order of the cranial nerves, think, “On Old Olympus Towering Tops, A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops.” To remember the sensory and/or motor function of the cranial nerves, think, “Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Bad Business Marry Money.”
The cranial nerve exam is part of the neurological examination. Proper assessment of these nerves provides insightful and vital information about a patient’s nervous system. Examine patient while he or she is sitting over the edge of the bed or examination table. CN I: Olfactory nerve
CN II: Optic nerve
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