Registered Nurse RN

Registered Nurse, Free Care Plans, Free NCLEX Review, Nurse Salary, and much more. Join the nursing revolution.

  • RN
    • Nursing Clinical Skills
  • Nursing Videos
  • Blog
  • Nursing School
  • Nursing Care Plans
  • Nursing Quizzes
  • Nursing
  • Nursing Jobs
  • NCLEX Review
  • Store

Visual Acuity Test with a Snellen Chart

Learn how to assess visual acuity using a Snellen chart as a nurse.

In nursing school, you will have to complete a nursing head-to-toe assessment and during this assessment you may have to assess visual acuity using the Snellen chart.

What cranial nerve is tested when assessing vision with a Snellen chart? Cranial nerve II

Video on How to Use a Snellen Chart


To test visual acuity, use a Snellen chart and have the patient wear glasses or contact lenses if they normally wear them.snellen chart, visual acuity, optic nerve, cranial nerve

  • Have patient stand 20 feet from chart
  • Tell the patient to first cover the right eye, then left eye, and lastly read the chart with both eyes.
  • While the patient covers the right eye first, tell the patient to read the lowest line they can read with ease.
  • Repeat this with the left eye and then both eyes (remember each line read by the patient).

Results: If the patient can read line 8, their vision is 20/20, which means that the patient can see the same line of letters at 20 feet that a person with normal vision can see at 20 feet.snellen chart, visual acuity, nursing skill, cranial nerve II

However, let’s say the patient can only read line 6 with the left eye. This means the patient has 20/30 in this eye, which means the patient can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 30 feet.

More nursing skills

Please Share:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
Nursing Gear

RSS Latest YouTube Videos

  • Barbiturates Pharmacology Nursing NCLEX Review Mechanism of Action
  • Circumduction Movement: Hip, Shoulder, Thumb, Fingers, Wrist, Ankle, Toes, Head
  • Vial Coring Prevention Needle Technique Nursing Skill Medication Administration
  • Abduction and Adduction of Wrist, Thigh, Fingers, Thumb, Arm | Anatomy Body Movement Terms

Recent Posts

  • Barbiturates Pharmacology Nursing NCLEX Review on Anxiolytic, Sedative-Hypnotic
  • Circumduction
  • Circumduction Quiz
  • Vial Coring Prevention

Disclosure and Privacy Policy

This website provides entertainment value only, not medical advice or nursing protocols. We strive for 100% accuracy, but nursing procedures and state laws are constantly changing. By accessing any content on this site or its related media channels, you agree never to hold us liable for damages, harm, loss, or misinformation. See our full disclosure and privacy policy. Copyright Notice: Do not copy this site, articles, images, or its contents without permission.

Important Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Follow Us on Social Media

  • Facebook Nursing
  • Instagram Nursing
  • Twitter Nursing
  • YouTube Nursing

Get Free Email Updates:

Enter your email address below and hit "Submit" to receive free email updates and nursing tips.

Copyright © 2021 RegisteredNurseRN.com. All Rights Reserved.