The client reports a decreased sense of smell for the past week. Which condition would the nurse assess for?

Bell palsy

Leukoplakia

Nasal polyps

Lesion of cranial nerve V

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Bell palsy affects cranial nerve VII, causing facial paralysis, not smell, which is cranial nerve I’s domain. A week of anosmia doesn’t align with this motor nerve issue, ruling it out as a cause of olfactory dysfunction here.

Choice B reason: Leukoplakia involves oral white patches, unrelated to smell, which cranial nerve I governs. It’s a mucosal condition, not nasal, missing the anatomical link to olfactory loss reported by the client over the past week entirely.

Choice C reason: Nasal polyps, benign growths in nasal passages, obstruct airflow, impairing cranial nerve I’s smell function. A week-long decrease fits this common cause, making it the priority to assess for physical blockage or inflammation in the nasal cavity accurately.

Choice D reason: Cranial nerve V (trigeminal) handles facial sensation, not smell, which is cranial nerve I’s role. A lesion here causes pain or numbness, not anosmia, excluding it as a relevant condition for this olfactory complaint specifically and fully.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Clenching teeth tests cranial nerve V’s motor branch, innervating mastication muscles like the masseter. This assesses strength and symmetry, directly evaluating trigeminal function, making it the precise instruction for this nerve’s motor assessment accurately here.
Choice B reason: Opening the mouth and saying “ah” tests cranial nerves IX and X, not V. This assesses gag reflex and palate movement, missing the trigeminal’s role in jaw strength, rendering it irrelevant to this specific nerve exam fully.
Choice C reason: Shining light in the eye tests cranial nerves II and III, not V. This checks pupil response, unrelated to trigeminal sensory or motor functions, excluding it from the assessment of jaw and facial sensation entirely here.
Choice D reason: Closing one eye and looking tests cranial nerves III, IV, and VI, not V. This evaluates eye movement, not trigeminal innervation of facial muscles or sensation, disconnecting it from the intended cranial nerve assessment fully here.

A. Do you have a history of chronic rhinitis? B. Have you been prescribed immunosuppressive therapy? C. How often do you usually go to the dentist in a year? D. Do you have any difficulty chewing or swallowing?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Chronic rhinitis affects nasal passages, not oral cancer risk, which ties to tobacco, alcohol, or HPV. This question targets sinus issues, missing key carcinogenic exposures or immunosuppression linked to squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth entirely here.

Choice B reason: Immunosuppressive therapy, like post-transplant drugs, raises oral cancer risk by impairing immune surveillance against HPV or malignant cells. This directly identifies a major risk factor, aligning with health promotion goals to detect oral cancer precursors effectively and accurately.

Choice C reason: Dental visit frequency reflects care access, not specific oral cancer risks like smoking. It’s indirect, missing direct links to immunosuppression or carcinogens, making it less effective for pinpointing etiology in a health promotion context fully here.

Choice D reason: Chewing or swallowing difficulty may signal advanced cancer, not risk factors. It’s a symptom, not a preventive focus, unlike immunosuppression, which precedes disease, reducing its utility for early identification in this educational assessment entirely and clearly.

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The client reports a decreased sense of smell for the past week. Which condition would the nurse assess for?

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