Cranial Nerves Vignettes

A patient presents with difficulty in swallowing and loss of gag reflex. Which cranial nerve is most likely affected?

• Accessory nerve (CN XI)

• Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

• Vagus nerve (CN X)

• Olfactory nerve (CN I)

A patient has difficulty moving their eyes laterally. Which cranial nerve is likely involved?

• Abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI)

• Vagus nerve (cranial nerve X)

• Glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX)

• Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)

A patient has a drooping eyelid, double vision, and difficulty focusing. Which cranial nerve is affected?

• Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)

• Vagus nerve (cranial nerve X)

• Oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III)

• Glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX)

A patient has loss of sensation in the face and difficulty chewing. Which cranial nerve is affected?

• Vagus nerve (CN X)

• Facial nerve (CN VII)

• Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

• Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

A patient has difficulty hearing and balance issues. Which cranial nerve is most likely affected?

• Vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII)

• Olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I)

• Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)

• Glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX)

A patient has difficulty sticking out their tongue to the left. Which cranial nerve is affected?

• Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)

• Hypoglossal nerve (XII)

• Vagus nerve (X)

• Facial nerve (VII)

A patient has difficulty shrugging their shoulders. Which cranial nerve is likely affected?

• Olfactory nerve (CN I)

• Vagus nerve (CN X)

• Accessory nerve (CN XI)

• Optic nerve (CN II)

A patient has difficulty moving their tongue. Which cranial nerve is most likely involved?

• Vagus nerve (CN X)

• Accessory nerve (CN XI)

• Facial nerve (CN VII)

• Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

A patient has difficulty smiling on one side of the face. Which cranial nerve is affected?

• Glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX)

• Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)

• Vagus nerve (cranial nerve X)

• Accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI)

A patient has difficulty moving their jaw. Which cranial nerve is most likely affected?

• Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)

• Glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX)

• Trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V)

• Vagus nerve (cranial nerve X)