Cranial Nerves: Origin, Function, Deficits, & Interventions

# Name Basic Function Dysfunction Interventions

I Olfactory Smell (olfactory  sense of smell • Hyposmia

receptor cells in (hyposmia) • Often accompanied
nasal mucosa) • Anosmia by impaired taste &
(absence of weight loss
smell) • Smell serves as
warning for fire, etc.
Maintain safety

II Optic Vision  visual acuity • Reorient client to

(retina)  visual fields environment
• Position objects
around client

III Oculomotor Eye movement -Double vision • Intermittent eye

Pupil -Loss of eye patching
constriction movements • Lubricate eyes to
(midbrain) -Pupil dilated, protect against
nonreactive to corneal abrasions
light
-Ptosis

IV Trochlear Eye movement -Double vision Same as III

– down & -Impaired
inward downward gaze
(midbrain)

V Trigeminal Chewing  facial sensation • Choose easy to

Facial Sensation Unable to chew – chew foods with
Corneal reflex muscle atrophy high caloric intake
(Pons) corneal reflex • Use eye lubricant to
protect corneas
• Caution with mouth
care

VI Abducens Eye movement -Double vision Same as III

(laterally (diplopia)
outward) -Eyes do not
(Pons) abduct

VII Facial Taste (anterior Facial weakness • Oral hygiene

2/3 of tongue),  taste (anterior • Monitor I & O,
 Cranial Nerves: Origin, Function, Deficits, & Interventions

facial tongue) daily wgt

movement, / lacrimation • Eye patch
lacrimation & or salivation, loss
salivation of corneal reflex
(Pons &
medulla)

VIII Vestibulocochlear Hearing Imbalance, • Maintain safety

(Acoustic) Balance vertigo, tinnitus, • Move slowly to
(Pons & hearing loss prevent emesis and
medulla) nausea
• Assist with
ambulation

IX Glossopharyngeal Taste (posterior 1/3 Dysarthia (difficulty • Maintain airway

tongue) speaking), dysphagia • Prevent aspiration
Swallowing (difficulty swallowing), • Swallow therapy
Sensation to impaired blood • Monitor vital signs
carotid body & pressure • Monitor perfusion
sinus regulation
(medulla)

X Vagus Pharynx, Cardiac & • Frequent vital signs

Respiratory, respiratory • Cardiac monitor
cardiac, instability • Pulse ox/ABGs
digestive and -hoarseness • Supportive Tx
circulatory -vocal cord • Prevent aspiration
reflexes paralysis
(medulla) -stomach atonia

XI Spinal Accessory Shoulders, head Inability to shrug • Mobility aids

movement shoulders or turn • Physical therapy
(medulla) head side to side

XII Hypoglossal Tongue Dysarthria, • Maintain airway

movement dysphagia • Prevent aspiration
(medulla) *tongue deviation • Swallow therapy
to side of lesion

This material was developed by Gina Maiocco, PhD, RN, CCRN, CCNS, while she was
faculty in the Wright State University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health. This
material is based upon work supported by the Ohio Learning Network. Any opinions,
findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the
author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ohio Learning Network.