MEDizzy - The nurse is testing the extraocular movements in a client

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Health and Physical Assessment of the Adult Client

The nurse is testing the extraocular movements in a client to assess for muscle weakness in the eyes. The nurse should implement which assessment technique to assess for muscle weakness in the eye?

ExplanationTesting the 6 cardinal positions of gaze (diagnostic positions test) is done to assess for muscle weakness in the eyes. The client is asked to hold the head steady, and then to follow movement of an object through the positions of gaze. The client should follow the object in a parallel manner with the 2 eyes. A Snellen eye chart assesses visual acuity and cranial nerve II (optic). Testing sensory function by having the client close his or her eyes and then lightly touching areas of the face and testing the corneal reflexes assess cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve).