Final answer:
Assessing a patient with a cranial injury involves a neurological examination, including testing cranial nerve function, motor strength, and sensory perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assessing a patient with a cranial injury involves a thorough neurological examination to determine the specific parts of the central nervous system (CNS) that are affected. This can be done quickly using the neurological exam, which includes tasks such as assessing cranial nerve function, evaluating motor strength and coordination, and testing sensory perception. For example, the hypoglossal nerve can be tested by asking the patient to move their tongue in different ways and observing any deficits in tongue movements. Additionally, a medical history and physical examination are conducted to gather information about the patient's symptoms and potential areas of damage.