Question

A nurse cares for a client who is one day post-craniotomy. Upon neurological assessment, the nurse notes the client's right eye does not turn laterally. Which cranial nerve does the nurse suspect is damaged?

1) Cranial nerve VII
2) Cranial nerve VI
3) Cranial nerve V
4) Cranial nerve II

Answer 1

The nurse suspects damage to Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens nerve) due to the client's inability for the right eye to turn laterally post craniotomy.Therfore the correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cranial Nerve VI, also known as the Abducens nerve, controls the lateral movement of the eye. Damage to this nerve can result in the inability of the eye to turn outward, known as lateral rectus muscle paralysis. This condition is called lateral rectus palsy. In this scenario, the client's inability for the right eye to turn laterally indicates dysfunction in Cranial Nerve VI.

Cranial Nerve VI originates from the pons and innervates the lateral rectus muscle, which is responsible for the abduction movement of the eye. Damage to this nerve disrupts the normal functioning of the lateral rectus muscle, leading to impaired lateral eye movement. This can manifest as the eye being unable to move outwards, causing diplopia (double vision) when attempting to gaze toward the affected side.

Neurological assessments involving the ocular muscles help in localizing the specific cranial nerve involved. In this case, the observed deficit in lateral eye movement suggests a problem with Cranial Nerve VI. Further evaluation and diagnostic tests would be necessary to confirm the exact nature and extent of the nerve damage, aiding in the formulation of an appropriate treatment plan for the client's condition.Thus the correct option is b.