During an assessment of a patient's cranial nerves, the nurse states, "Please stick out your tongue." The nurse observes that the tongue deviates markedly to the right side. What is the patient most likely exhibiting?

Question

1. abnormal hypoglossal nerve response
2. first cranial nerve (CN I) damage
3. sluggish oculomotor response
4. absence of the Homans sign

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal) is tested by having the patient stick out the tongue. An abnormal finding is that the tongue deviates to either side. Cranial nerve I is the olfactory nerve and is assessed by having the patient use the sense of smell; cranial nerve III is the oculomotor nerve and, along with the trochlear and abducens nerves, helps the eye move. Homans sign is a check for thrombophlebitis in the calves.