When assessing a patient's sense of smell, the nurse gives a whiff of freshly ground coffee beans to an older patient. The patient identifies coffee with the left nostril but cinnamon with the right nostril. How should the nurse interpret this finding?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Odors should be perceived the same in both nostrils. A discrepancy in the perception of odors between the two nostrils suggests an abnormality in olfactory function, which could be due to various causes such as nasal congestion, neurological issues, or damage to the olfactory nerves.

When Assessing a Patient's Sense of Smell, the Nurse Gives