Which patient behavior indicates to the nurse that the patient's facial cranial nerve (CN VII) is intact?
A) The patient's eyes move to the left, right, up, down, and obliquely.
B) The patient moistens the lips with the tongue.
C) The sides of the mouth are symmetric when the patient smiles.
D) The patient's eyelids blink periodically.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The finding in option C represents facial symmetry, which is controlled by the facial cranial nerve (CN VII). The finding in option A represents movement of the extraocular muscles, which are controlled by the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens cranial nerves (CN III, IV, and VI, respectively). The finding in option B represents movement of the tongue, which is controlled by the hypoglossal cranial nerve (CN XII). The finding in option D represents function of the oculomotor cranial nerve (CN III).

Which Patient Behavior Indicates to the Nurse That the Patient's