Which cranial nerve is assessed when a nurse asks a patient to stick out the tongue and move it side to side?
A) Vagus nerve (CN X)
B) Facial nerve (CN VII)
C) Abducens nerve (CN VI)
D) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hypoglossal cranial nerve provides tongue movement for speech sound articulation (l, t, n) and swallowing. The vagus cranial nerve provides movement for voluntary muscles of phonation (guttural speech sounds) and swallowing. The facial cranial nerve provides movement for facial expression muscles except the jaw, closes the eyes, and allows labial speech sounds (b, m, w, and rounded vowels). The abducens cranial nerve provides for lateral eye movement.

Which Cranial Nerve Is Assessed When a Nurse Asks a Patient