A patient reports having difficulty swallowing. Based on this information, how does the nurse assess the cranial nerve related to swallowing?
A) Ask the patient about feeling the blunt end of a paper clip along the jaw line.
B) Observe the rising of the soft palate when the patient says "Ahh."
C) Observe the symmetry of the face when the patient talks.
D) Assess taste on the anterior part of the tongue.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option B tests the glossopharyngeal cranial nerve (CN IX), which is involved in swallowing. The nurse must correlate difficulty swallowing with the cranial nerves involved with that function and how to test it. The cranial nerves involved are IX, X, and XII. Option A tests the sensory function of the trigeminal cranial nerve (CN V). 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