The nurse is assessing a patient experiencing COVID-19 who reports anorexia due to a decreased sense of smell and taste. Which cranial nerve is likely affected? Select all that apply.

Cranial nerve I

Cranial nerve III

Cranial nerve VII

Cranial nerve IX

Cranial nerve XII

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,C,D

A. Cranial nerve I: The olfactory nerve is responsible for the sense of smell, which is often acutely impaired in viral infections like COVID-19. Anosmia or hyposmia significantly contributes to a perceived loss of flavor and subsequent anorexia. This is a primary sensory deficit reported by patients.

B. Cranial nerve III: The oculomotor nerve controls most extraocular muscle movements, pupil constriction, and eyelid elevation. It has no functional role in the perception of smell or taste. Its impairment would result in ptosis or diplopia rather than a loss of appetite.

C. Cranial nerve VII: The facial nerve provides sensory innervation for taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Viral impact on this nerve causes ageusia or dysgeusia, diminishing the enjoyment of food. It is one of the three nerves responsible for the gustatory pathway.

D. Cranial nerve IX: The glossopharyngeal nerve mediates taste sensation for the posterior third of the tongue and the pharynx. Dysfunction of this nerve further compromises the patient's ability to perceive distinct flavors. It works alongside the facial nerve to provide comprehensive taste data.

E. Cranial nerve XII: The hypoglossal nerve is a purely motor nerve that controls the movements of the tongue for speech and swallowing. While it is involved in the mechanical handling of food, it does not transmit sensory taste signals. It is not associated with the loss of gustatory perception.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Hold hands back-to-back while flexing the wrists to 90 degrees for 60 seconds: This position increases pressure within the carpal tunnel and compresses the median nerve against the flexor retinaculum. The test is considered positive if the patient experiences numbness or tingling in the median nerve distribution. It is a specific diagnostic maneuver for entrapment.

B. Press the palms together for 2-3 seconds: This action does not provide the necessary mechanical compression of the median nerve required for a provocative neurological test. Brief palm pressing lacks the specific anatomical positioning needed to elicit symptoms of nerve compression. It is not a recognized maneuver for carpal tunnel.

C. Interlace the metacarpals for 2-3 seconds: Interlacing the fingers or metacarpals does not put the carpal tunnel under sufficient stress to reproduce neurological symptoms. This movement does not target the median nerve at the wrist joint. It is an irrelevant action for diagnosing upper extremity nerve entrapment syndromes.

D. Internally rotate the shoulders, pressing the hands into the back: This movement assesses the internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint and the integrity of the rotator cuff. It has no diagnostic value for conditions affecting the distal upper extremity or the median nerve. It is used for shoulder rather than wrist evaluations.

Correct Answer is []

Explanation

Potential Condition: Stroke: The combination of a sudden fall, "feeling funny," confused mental status, and slurred speech are classic indicators of a cerebrovascular accident. Her use of aspirin suggests an underlying cardiovascular history, increasing her risk for an ischemic or hemorrhagic event. Rapid identification of these neurological deficits is critical for improving clinical outcomes.

Actions to Take: Call 911; BE FAST stroke screen: Calling emergency services is the priority to ensure the patient reaches a stroke-certified facility within the thrombolytic window. The BE FAST tool (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time) is the standard pre-hospital assessment to quantify neurological impairment. These actions prioritize life-saving intervention over non-urgent chores or rest.

Parameters to Monitor: Level of consciousness; Grip strength: Monitoring the level of consciousness allows the nurse to detect rising intracranial pressure or worsening cerebral ischemia. Assessing grip strength provides a quantifiable measure of motor deficit and lateralization of the stroke. These parameters are specific to the neurological emergency described in the clinical scenario.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse is assessing a patient experiencing COVID-19 who reports anorexia due to a decreased sense of smell and taste. Which cranial nerve is likely affected? Select all that apply.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse suspects that the patient has carpal tunnel syndrome and wants to perform the Phalen test. How should the nurse instruct the patient?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Correct Answer is []

Explanation

Which neurologic finding is most concerning?

The nurse is assessing a female patient who reports severe abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant (RLQ). Which condition should the nurse suspect? Select all that apply.

An adult male reports urinary frequency and difficulty starting the flow of urine. Which condition is likely?

A patient tells the nurse he feels hopeless and sad since his wife died six months ago. Which question is a priority for nursing assessment?

The patient has a spinal anesthetic block to the T-10 level. Which landmark is associated with T-10?

Which of the following is common when a patient's nutritional reserves are depleted? Select all that apply.

The nurse cares for a patient who is one day post-op surgery. The nurse checks the patient's oral temperature and notes that it is 38° Celsius. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? Select all that apply.

The nurse is assessing the abdomen of a woman who is eight months pregnant. Which characteristic is the nurse likely to observe? Select all that apply.