Facial palsy is also known as?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent 21 July 2019 (shift 1st)

Explanation

Bell's palsy is the most common term for an acute, idiopathic, unilateral facial paralysis.
It results from inflammation and swelling of the Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII).
Symptoms include sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, causing that side to droop.
Unlike other palsies listed, it specifically affects the face and not the limbs.

Option A: Erb's palsy is an injury to the upper brachial plexus (C5-C6 nerve roots), which affects the shoulder and arm muscles.
Option B: Klumpke's palsy is an injury to the lower brachial plexus (C8-T1 nerve roots), affecting the muscles of the hand.
Option D: Brachial palsy is a general term for any injury to the brachial plexus, which supplies the arm. It is not specific to the face.

Visual 1: Diagram - Illustration of the facial nerve (CN VII) and the muscles it innervates to show the area affected in Bell's palsy.
Visual 2: Diagram - Anatomy of the brachial plexus, highlighting the upper trunk (C5-C6) for Erb's palsy and the lower trunk (C8-T1) for Klumpke's palsy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Differential diagnosis of peripheral nerve palsies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing intervention for a patient with Bell's palsy is to protect the affected eye from dryness and injury, as the eyelid may not close completely. This involves using artificial tears and taping the eye shut at night.
Accurate differentiation between these palsies is critical for diagnosis, prognosis, and planning appropriate physical therapy and interventions.
What if? If a patient presented with facial drooping and weakness in the arm and leg on the same side, the cause would likely be central (e.g., a stroke) rather than a peripheral nerve issue like Bell's palsy.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Facial palsy'. This directs your focus to conditions affecting the face.
Next, analyze the options provided. Think about the anatomical location associated with each term.
Recall or deduce that 'brachial' refers to the arm (brachial artery, brachial plexus). This helps you link Erb's, Klumpke's, and Brachial palsy to the arm, not the face.
By elimination, Bell's palsy is the remaining option. Confirm your knowledge that Bell's palsy is the specific medical term for idiopathic facial paralysis.
This question tests direct recall of medical terminology. Associating terms with their corresponding body parts is an effective strategy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent 21 July 2019 (shift 1st)

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