Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

What should a patient be asked to do during a CN II assessment?

1. Count backward from 20

2. Identify various scents

3. Read from a newspaper

4. Repeat a tongue twister

The correct answer is: Read from a newspaper

During a CN II assessment, the primary focus is on testing the visual function of the optic nerve. Asking the patient to read from a newspaper effectively assesses their visual acuity and the clarity of their vision, which is a direct evaluation of the optic nerve's capability. The use of a newspaper provides a familiar and practical context for the patient, making it easier to gauge how well they can see and read printed text. In contrast, while counting backward from 20, identifying scents, or repeating a tongue twister may assess other cranial nerves or cognitive functions, they do not specifically test the visual function associated with cranial nerve II. Cranial nerve II is dedicated to vision and visual fields, so reading a newspaper is the most appropriate task for that specific assessment.