Final answer:
The optic nerve is one of the first cranial nerves to be assessed in an unconscious patient through the cranial nerve exam, providing valuable information about the patient's neurological state.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the first cranial nerves you should attempt to assess in an unconscious patient is the optic nerve (cranial nerve II). The cranial nerve exam is a major section of the neurological exam dedicated to assessing both sensory and motor functions of the cranial nerves and their associated central and peripheral structures. Since the optic nerve is responsible for vision, testing it can yield immediate and valuable information about the patient's neurological state. Specifically, assessing the pupillary light reflex, which involves shining a light into the patient's eye to observe if the pupil constricts, is a quick way to test the integrity of the optical pathways and midbrain function.