A healthcare professional is assessing a patient for dysfunction of cranial nerve VII. What assessment finding would confirm the professional's suspicion?
A)Patient is unable to open mouth against resistance.
B)Patient does not display intact gag reflex.
C)Patient is able to smile only on one side of the face.
D)Patient's tongue deviates to the right when sticking out.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The inability to smile symmetrically is a sign of cranial nerve VII dysfunction (facial nerve). The inability to open the mouth against resistance is related to a dysfunction of cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve). Loss of a gag reflex correlates with dysfunction of cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal nerve). Deviation in tongue position when the patient extends it is a sign of cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal nerve) dysfunction.

A Healthcare Professional Is Assessing a Patient for Dysfunction of Cranial