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)?

Rationale: A. Loss of peripheral vision: Loss of peripheral vision is associated with dysfunction of the optic nerve (cranial nerve II), not the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII). B. Deviation of the tongue from midline: Deviation of the tongue from the midline indicates dysfunction of the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), not the vestibulocochlear nerve. C. Disequilibrium with movement: The vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII) is responsible for balance and hearing. Impaired function of this nerve can result in disequilibrium or vertigo with movement, which is a typical finding in vestibular dysfunction. D. Inability to smell: Inability to smell is related to dysfunction of the olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I), not the vestibulocochlear nerve.