Final answer:
An expected finding in a patient with Bell palsy is the sudden onset of facial weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, often accompanied by other symptoms affecting taste, sound sensitivity, and tear or saliva production.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bell palsy is a temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, typically resulting from inflammation of the facial nerve which is believed to be triggered by reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1.
An expected finding in a patient with Bell palsy would be the sudden onset of facial weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, which may manifest as drooping of the eyelid and corner of the mouth, inability to raise the eyebrow, disappearance of the forehead crease, and difficulty with facial expressions such as smiling or closing the eye on the affected side.
Other potential findings could include a change in taste, increased sensitivity to sound on the affected side, or a reduction in tear and saliva production.