In assessing a patient with a tumor in the pons, the nurse expects to find which abnormalities due to pressure on cranial nerves?
A) Dilated pupils and ptosis
B) Facial asymmetry and impaired hearing
C) Difficulty swallowing
D) Impaired gag reflex

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

These abnormalities represent pressure on the facial and acoustic cranial nerves. The nurse correlates the cranial nerves that exit from the pons which are trigeminal (CN V), abducens (CN VI), facial (CN VII), and acoustic (CN VIII). These abnormalities represent pressure on the oculomotor (CN III) that exits from the midbrain. This abnormality represents pressure on the three cranial nerves that affect swallowing: glossopharyngeal (CN IX), vague (CN X), and hypoglossal (CN XII). These cranial nerves exit the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This reflex is controlled by the vagus cranial nerve (CN IX), which exits the brain stem in the medulla oblongata.

In Assessing a Patient with a Tumor in the Pons