An emergency department nurse is assessing a patient with a head injury. To assess for damage to cranial nerves III, IV and VI, the nurse would:

An emergency department nurse is assessing a patient with a head injury. To assess for damage to cranial nerves III, IV and VI, the nurse would:



a. shine a pen light directly into the patient's eye and observe pupillary response.

b. ask the patient to shrug the shoulders and turn the head against resistance.

c. ask the patient to follow with the eyes as the nurse moves a finger through the 6 cardinal fields of gaze.

d. stroke the back of the patient's throat and ask the patient to demonstrate swallowing, while watching for signs of aspiration.



Answer: c. ask the patient to follow with the eyes as the nurse moves a finger through the 6 cardinal fields of gaze.


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