The present invention provides for a method, apparatus, and system for determining an adverse operational condition associated with a lead assembly in an implantable medical device used for providing a therapeutic electrical signal to a cranial nerve. A first impedance associated with the lead assembly configured to provide the therapeutic electrical signal to a cranial nerve is detected. A determination is made as to whether the first impedance is outside a first predetermined range of values. A second impedance is detected. The detection of the second impedance is performed within a predetermined period of time from the time of the detection of the first impedance. A determination is made as to whether the second impedance is outside a second predetermined range of values. A determination that a lead condition problem exists is made in response to a determination that the first is outside the first predetermined range of values and second impedance is outside the second predetermined range of values. The implantable medical device is prevented from providing the therapeutic electrical signal to the cranial nerve in response to determining that the lead condition problem exists.