Question

How do you carry out a sensory assessment of the trigeminal nerve?

Option 1: Assess taste sensation on the tongue.

Option 2: Check for sharp and dull sensation on the face.

Option 3: Test hearing ability.

Option 4: Assess visual acuity.

Answer 1

To assess the trigeminal nerve, check for the ability to differentiate between sharp and dull sensations on the face using two ends of a cotton-tipped applicator.

Step-by-step explanation:

To carry out a sensory assessment of the trigeminal nerve, you would perform Option 2: Check for sharp and dull sensation on the face. The trigeminal nerve carries somatosensory information from the face, head, mouth, and nasal cavity, which includes touch, pain, and temperature sensations. The sensory discrimination subtest involves using a cotton-tipped applicator with a soft cotton end for touch stimuli and a sharpened wooden end for sharp, or painful, stimuli. This test checks if the individual can differentiate between the sharp and dull sensations while their eyes are closed. A failure to discriminate properly might indicate damage to the trigeminal pathway or associated structures in the brain stem.