Other name for facial nerve palsy is?

PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Bell's palsy is the common name for an acute, idiopathic, unilateral paralysis or weakness of the facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII).
The condition results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side, leading to the characteristic signs of a drooping mouth, inability to close the eyelid, and a flattened nasolabial fold, as depicted in the image.
While the exact cause is unknown, it is strongly associated with viral infections, particularly herpes simplex virus (HSV), which causes inflammation of the nerve.

Option B: Trigeminal neuralgia affects the trigeminal nerve (CN V) and is characterized by severe, stabbing facial pain, not muscle paralysis.
Option C: Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails (e.g., ringworm). It is an infectious dermatological condition, not a neurological one.
Option D: Turner syndrome is a genetic condition (monosomy X) that affects development in females. It is a chromosomal abnormality and is not associated with acute facial paralysis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the common medical term for idiopathic facial nerve palsy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The absolute priority in nursing care for a patient with Bell's palsy is protecting the affected eye. The inability to blink and close the eyelid (lagophthalmos) can lead to corneal drying, ulceration, and permanent vision loss.
Nurses play a key role in patient education, reassuring the patient that the condition is not a stroke and that the prognosis for full recovery is generally very good. This helps alleviate significant patient anxiety.
What if? If the patient presented with facial droop but could still wrinkle their forehead on the affected side, a central cause like a stroke would be suspected. This is because the upper facial muscles receive nerve signals from both sides of the brain, so a unilateral stroke would not paralyze them. This is a critical differentiating sign.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully examine the image. Identify the key clinical signs: one-sided facial drooping, a widened eye, and a flattened nasolabial fold. Recognize this presentation as unilateral facial paralysis.
Next, read the question stem, which asks for another name for 'facial nerve palsy'.
Systematically evaluate each option based on your medical knowledge.
Recall that 'Bell's palsy' is the common idiopathic form of facial nerve (CN VII) paralysis.
Eliminate the other options by defining them. Trigeminal neuralgia is a pain disorder (CN V), dermatophytosis is a fungal skin infection, and Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder. None of these match the clinical picture or the term 'facial nerve palsy'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of the common medical term for idiopathic facial nerve palsy.
Stem keywords: facial nerve palsy, other name
Lead-in keywords: is
Clinical cues: The provided image shows classic signs of unilateral facial paralysis, which is a key diagnostic clue.

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