An Elderly Patient Comes into the Emergency Department Complaining of an Earache

An elderly patient comes into the emergency department complaining of an earache. The patient and has an oral temperature of $100.2 \mathrm{~F}$ and otoscopic assessment of the ear reveals a pearly gray tympanic membrane with no evidence of discharge or inflammation. Which action should the triage nurse take next?

A) Palpate the patients parotid glands to detect swelling and tenderness.
B) Assess the temporomandibular joint for evidence of a malocclusion.
C) Test the integrity of cranial nerve XII by asking the patient to protrude the tongue.
D) Inspect the patients gums for bleeding and hyperpigmentation.