Answer
Nicky's signs and symptoms (SS) indicate injury to the seventh cranial nerve(CN VII).
This constellation includes inability to move the muscles of facial expression ( smiling, frowning etc) ; loss of
taste; dry mouth, and inability to close her right eye. This is a classical case of Bell's Palsy.
Work Step by Step
Bell's Palsy is condition caused by viral infection of seventh nerves (CN VII). Usually one of the paired nerves is affected but both may be. The seventh cranial controls the contraction of the skeletal muscles of the face . Therefore the patient will have trouble smiling or frowning and the mouth my droop to one side.
Other structures innervated by CN VII are the lacrimal glands and the salivary glands. Sensations from the taste buds and the stapes also travel by the seventh cranial nerve. Some associated minor symptoms (SS) of this palsy are ringing in the ear (tinnitus), hypersensitivity to sound, blurry eyes, dizziness, and loss of taste,
Bells' Palsy is usually a temporary condition . With proper treatment the patient begins to feel better after 24 hours, and may be fully recovered after two months.
