IV. Discussion: To assess cranial nerve damage, the patient goes through a series of tests as listed: (1) follow a penlight right, left, up, down and towards the nose, (2) acuity and peripheral eye exam, (3) identify the smell of vanilla extract with eyes closed, (4) gag reflex, (5) clench jaw, (6) identify a warm probe placed on the forehead, left and right cheeks and chin, (7) taste, (8) walk across the room, (9) face symmetry, (10) Weber test. No abnormalities were found in tests one through six, however, they were found in tests seven through ten. Test seven and nine assesses the function of cranial nerve seven, the facial nerve, which is responsible for facial expression and taste information found on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. A normal response to test seven involves the ability of both sides of the tongue to differentiate sweet and
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Test eight and ten evaluates the function of cranial nerve eight, the vestibulocochlear nerve, which is important for hearing and equilibrium (balance). Test eight has the patient walk across the room; while she was walking, she complained of dizziness and exhibited balance difficulties. Ordinarily, one would not experience dizziness or inability to balance. When the Weber test is performed, one should be able to hear in both ears, but the patient could only hear in the left ear. Due to the inability to identify different tastes and presented with an asymmetrical face, which suggests that the seventh cranial nerve has been damage, and dizziness along with trouble balancing and unequal hearing, which indicates damage to cranial nerve ten, thus the original hypothesis is correct. Throughout this study, there were no uncertainties in interpreting data. Furthermore, the design of the tests is clear and concise, so no suggestions will be
Test eight and ten evaluates the function of cranial nerve eight, the vestibulocochlear nerve, which is important for hearing and equilibrium (balance). Test eight has the patient walk across the room; while she was walking, she complained of dizziness and exhibited balance difficulties. Ordinarily, one would not experience dizziness or inability to balance. When the Weber test is performed, one should be able to hear in both ears, but the patient could only hear in the left ear. Due to the inability to identify different tastes and presented with an asymmetrical face, which suggests that the seventh cranial nerve has been damage, and dizziness along with trouble balancing and unequal hearing, which indicates damage to cranial nerve ten, thus the original hypothesis is correct. Throughout this study, there were no uncertainties in interpreting data. Furthermore, the design of the tests is clear and concise, so no suggestions will be