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: Clear, watery ear drainage post-collision suggests cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from a skull fracture. This urgent finding risks infection or brain injury, warranting immediate provider notification for imaging and intervention in this trauma case accurately.
Choice B reason: Enlarged post-auricular nodes may indicate infection, not an acute emergency. Post-trauma, this is less critical than potential CSF leak, making it a lower priority for immediate provider action in this collision scenario fully here.
Choice C reason: Odorless, brown cerumen is normal earwax, not an emergency. After a collision, this benign finding doesn’t signal trauma-related urgency, excluding it from requiring prompt provider notification compared to more severe signs entirely here.
Choice D reason: White tympanic membrane spots suggest scarring or infection, not immediate danger. Post-collision, this lacks the acuity of CSF leak, rendering it non-emergent and less urgent for provider attention in this context comprehensively here.

A. Trigeminal neuralgia B. Meningitis C. Migraine headache D. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Trigeminal neuralgia causes sharp, intermittent facial pain lasting minutes due to cranial nerve V irritation. Normal vitals and no systemic symptoms align with this neuropathic condition, distinguishing it from inflammatory or vascular headache causes in this presentation.

Choice B reason: Meningitis presents with fever, neck stiffness, and severe headache, not intermittent facial pain. Normal temperature and vitals here rule out this acute infection, which affects meninges broadly, not just facial nerves, making it an unlikely fit.

Choice C reason: Migraines involve throbbing head pain, often with nausea or photophobia, lasting hours, not minutes of facial pain. The client’s brief, episodic description and normal vitals don’t match migraine’s typical systemic or prolonged profile, excluding it here.

Choice D reason: TMJ dysfunction causes jaw pain, often with chewing difficulty or joint sounds, not intermittent facial pain alone. Normal vitals and no joint-specific complaints suggest this isn’t TMJ-related, pointing instead to a neural origin like trigeminal neuralgia.

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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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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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