While taking a history, the nurse observes that the patient's facial cranial nerves (CN VII) are intact based on which behaviors of the patient?
The sides of the mouth are symmetric when the patient smiles.
The patient's eyes move to the left, right, up, down, and obliquely during conversation.
The patient's eyelids blink periodically.
The patient moistens the lips with the tongue.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
The sides of the mouth being symmetric when the patient smiles indicate intact function of the facial cranial nerve (CN VII). This nerve controls the muscles responsible for facial expressions, including smiling, frowning, and closing the eyes. Symmetry in these actions suggests that the facial nerve is functioning properly and that there is no nerve damage or weakness.
Choice B rationale
The patient's eyes moving to the left, right, up, down, and obliquely during conversation are functions of the oculomotor nerve (CN III), trochlear nerve (CN IV), and abducens nerve (CN VI), not the facial cranial nerve (CN VII). These nerves work together to control the movements of the eye muscles, enabling the eyes to move in different directions and maintain proper alignment.
Choice C rationale
Periodic blinking of the eyelids involves the oculomotor nerve (CN III) and the facial nerve (CN VII). The oculomotor nerve controls the muscles that lift the eyelid, while the facial nerve controls the muscles that close the eyelid. Blinking is a coordinated action involving both nerves, but the observation alone is not sufficient to determine the integrity of CN VII.
Choice D rationale
The patient moistening the lips with the tongue involves the function of the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), which controls the movements of the tongue. The hypoglossal nerve is responsible for the motor control of most of the tongue muscles, allowing for actions like licking the lips, speaking, and swallowing. It is not related to the facial cranial nerve (CN VII).
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The optic nerve (CN II) is responsible for vision, transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. Dysfunction of the optic nerve would result in visual disturbances, such as loss of vision or changes in visual acuity, rather than difficulty with tongue movement. This nerve does not control motor functions of the tongue.
Choice B rationale
The abducens nerve (CN VI) controls the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, which is responsible for moving the eye outward, away from the nose. Dysfunction of the abducens nerve would result in issues with eye movement, such as double vision or inability to move the eye laterally, not tongue movement. It does not play a role in tongue motor control.
Choice C rationale
The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) controls the muscles of the tongue, enabling movements necessary for speech, swallowing, and mastication. Dysfunction of this nerve would result in difficulty protruding the tongue and reduced strength during resistance testing. Symptoms can include atrophy of the tongue muscles, fasciculations, and deviation of the tongue to one side when extended.
Choice D rationale
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) is responsible for hearing and balance, transmitting sound and equilibrium information from the inner ear to the brain. Dysfunction of the vestibulocochlear nerve would lead to symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance disorders like vertigo. It does not affect the motor control of the tongue.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Rhonchi are low-pitched, coarse sounds typically heard during expiration, associated with secretions in large airways, not high-pitched continuous sounds.
Choice B rationale
Stridor is a high-pitched sound heard during inspiration, typically indicating upper airway obstruction.
Choice C rationale
Wheezes are continuous high-pitched whistling sounds heard during expiration, common in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where airway narrowing is present.
Choice D rationale
Crackles are discontinuous sounds heard during inspiration, usually associated with fluid in the lungs or alveolar opening, not continuous high-pitched sounds. .
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