Question

While examining your pt's head and face, you determine that CN I is intact when the pt follows your instructions and successfully

A) sticks his tongue out.
B) smiles symmetrically.
C) hears whispered words.
D) identifies a minty scent.

Answer 1

The intactness of cranial nerve I can be determined by testing the patient's sense of smell. The olfactory nerve, responsible for the sense of smell, can regenerate over time if damaged. Loss of the sense of smell is known as anosmia.

Step-by-step explanation:

When examining a patient's head and face, the intactness of cranial nerve I can be determined through various tests. In this case, the patient's ability to identify a minty scent indicates that CN I is intact.

The olfactory nerve, also known as CN I, is responsible for the sense of smell. Loss of the sense of smell is called anosmia, which can occur due to head trauma or aging. The neurons in the olfactory epithelium have a limited lifespan and can regenerate, allowing the sense of smell to be restored over time.