A nurse is performing a cranial nerve assessment on a client following a head injury. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect if the client has impaired function of the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII)?

A. Deviation of the tongue from midline is incorrect because this reflects dysfunction of the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), which controls motor movement of the tongue. Injury to CN XII can result in tongue weakness, atrophy, or deviation toward the affected side, which is unrelated to balance or hearing. B. Disequilibrium with movement is correct because the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII) has two components: the cochlear portion, which mediates hearing, and the vestibular portion, which mediates balance and spatial orientation. Impairment of this nerve after a head injury can lead to vertigo, dizziness, unsteady gait, nausea, and disequilibrium, particularly when the client changes positions or moves. These symptoms reflect dysfunction of the vestibular system and are key indicators during a cranial nerve assessment. C. Inability to smell is incorrect because this symptom is associated with the olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I). Damage to CN I results in anosmia or hyposmia but does not affect balance or hearing. D. Loss of peripheral vision is incorrect because this relates to damage to the optic nerve (cranial nerve II) or the visual pathways in the brain. Vision loss does not produce disequilibrium or vertigo, making it unrelated to cranial nerve VIII impairment.