Question

The nurse is assessing a client with a neurologic condition who is reporting difficulty chewing when eating foods. The nurse suspects that which cranial nerve has been affected?

A) Abducens nerve
B) Facial nerve
C) Trigeminal nerve
D) Trochlear nerve

Answer 1

The trigeminal nerve controls the muscles involved in chewing, indicating that the difficulty with chewing reported by the client with a neurologic condition suggests dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cranial nerve responsible for controlling the muscles involved in chewing is the trigeminal nerve. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is C) Trigeminal nerve. This nerve is one of the most complex cranial nerves and is crucial for motor functions such as mastication (chewing) and for conducting sensory information from the face to the brain.

The facial nerve controls facial expressions, and its dysfunction can be observed through an inability to perform movements such as raising eyebrows or smiling. The abducens and trochlear nerves are responsible for eye movements and do not play a role in the process of chewing. It is important to note that the neurological examination, including assessing cranial nerve function, gives healthcare professionals valuable insight into the potential areas of damage within the nervous system.