Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

How is cranial nerve I assessed?

1. By testing visual range

2. By checking taste responses

3. By evaluating smell identification

4. By conducting a hearing test

The correct answer is: By evaluating smell identification

Cranial nerve I, also known as the olfactory nerve, is primarily responsible for the sense of smell. Therefore, assessing this nerve involves evaluating the ability to identify different odors. This can be done using various substances that have distinct smells, such as coffee, vanilla, or peppermint. If a patient can accurately recognize and differentiate these scents, it indicates that cranial nerve I is functioning properly. While taste responses and other sensory assessments are important for overall neurological evaluation, they do not directly assess the function of the olfactory nerve. Testing visual range pertains to cranial nerve II, the optic nerve, and conducting a hearing test assesses cranial nerves VIII, the vestibulocochlear nerve. Thus, the focus on smell identification is crucial for accurately determining the health of cranial nerve I.