Facial Nerve

Question 1

Introduction in facial nerve

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION:
• Greet the examiner.
• Greet the patient.
• Introduce yourself and establish rapport.
• Confirm patient’s identity.
• Briefly explain what the examination is about.
• Obtain consent.
• Ask for a chaperone.
To the examiner:
• I would like to:
• screen my patient for privacy.
• adequately expose my patient (take off face caps, glasses, necklaces,
etc.).

properly position my patient (sitting upright).
• sanitize or wash my hands with running water and soap.

Question 2

Inspection of facial nerve

Answer 2

Squat at eye level in front of the patient. Look out for:
− symmetry of the face
− angular deviation to the unaffected side − loss of nasolabial fold
Ask the patient to smile with the teeth showing and check for asymme- try.
Ask the patient to whistle, close eyes tightly.

Question 3

Palpation

Answer 3

PALPATION:
• Assess for forehead wrinkle.
• Assess the eyes for opening against resistance.
• Assess the buccinator muscle.
• While standing behind the patient, check for hyperaccusis.
• Test for taste in the anterior two-third of the tongue.
• Assess the integrity of the platysma.