Questions and Correct Answers.
Very first step
Introduce yourself!
First Exam
Head and face
Head and Face Step #1
Inspect facial skin (note abnormal lesions)
Head and Face Step #2
Inspect head for size, symmetry, midline position
Head and Face Step #3
Palpate lymph nodes of head and neck
Lymph nodes of head and neck
Preauricular, postauricular, occipital, tonsillar, submandibular, submental, anterior
cervical, posterior cervical, supraclavicular
Head and Face Step #4
CN 5
CN 5 Name
Trigeminal
CN 5 Assessment
Motor: Palpate over masseter muscle as pt clenches jaw
Sensory: light touch sensation to forehead, cheeks, chin, nose (pt closes eyes, identifies
where they are touched)
Head and Face Step #5
CN 7
CN 7 Name
Facial
CN 7 Assessment
Inspect face for symmetry (smile, frown, raise eyebrows, puff cheeks, pucker lips)
Second Exam
Ear
Ear Step #1
Inspect outer ear for skin lesions and symmetry
Ear Step #2
Inspect auditory canal and TM (otoscope)
Ear Step #3
Palpate pinnae and tragus for nodules and tenderness
Ear Step #4
CN 8
CN 8 Name
Acoustic
CN 8 Assessment
Whisper test (pt covers opposite ear, I cover my mouth and whisper 3 words out of pt's
sight, pt repeats words back; one ear at a time)
, Third Exam
Eye
Eye Step #1
Inspects sclera and conjunctiva
Eye Step #2
CN 2
CN 2 Name
Optic
CN 2 Assessment
Assess gross visual acuity and peripheral/central vision (cover 1 eye at a time, then
open both; wiggle fingers in periphery: "Tell me when you can see my fingers.")
Check pupillary response to light (PERRL)
Eye Step #3
CN 3, 4, 6
CN 3 Name
Oculomotor
CN 4 Name
Trochlear
CN 6 Name
Abducens
CN 3, 4, 6 Assessment
Test for conjugate gase with EOM (star or H pattern)
Fourth Exam
Nose
Nose Step #1
Inspect nose midline and straight
Nose Step #2
Assess nasal turbinates and septum (light source): "Pink, moist, septum without
deviation"
Nose Step #3
Palpate frontal and maxillary sinuses
Fifth Exam
Throat and mouth
Throat and Mouth Step #1
Inspect lips, teeth, gums, buccal mucosa, palate, tongue, floor of the mouth, posterior
pharynx, tonsils (grade tonsils if present, 0-5)
Throat and Mouth Step #2
CN 9 and 10
CN 9 Name
Glossopharyngeal
CN 9 Assessment
Gag reflex (NOT TESTED FOR IMMERSION)
CN 10 Name
Vagus
CN 10 Assessment
Say "Aaaahh" and soft palate/uvula rise symmetrically with phonation