A patient reports having difficulty swallowing. Based on this information, how does the nurse assess the appropriate cranial nerve?
A) Ask the patient to stick out the tongue and move it in all directions.
B) Ask the patient to move the head to the right and left.
C) Observe the symmetry of the face when the patient talks.
D) Assess for taste on the anterior part of the tongue.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option A tests the hypoglossal cranial nerve (CN XII) that is involved in swallowing. The nurse must correlate difficulty swallowing with the cranial nerves involved with that function and how to test them. The cranial nerves involved are IX, X, and XII. Option B tests the function of the spinal accessory cranial nerve (CN XI). Option C tests the motor function of the facial cranial nerve (CN VII). Option D tests the sensory portion of the facial cranial nerve (CN VII).

A Patient Reports Having Difficulty Swallowing