A nurse is preparing to perform a cranial nerve examination on a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to check cranial nerve VII?

A. Identifying specific smells tests cranial nerve I (olfactory nerve), which is responsible for the sense of smell. This does not assess facial muscle movement or motor function. B. Cranial nerve VII (facial nerve) controls the motor function of facial muscles and some sensory functions, including taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and salivary secretion. Observing the client for facial symmetry while smiling, raising eyebrows, or closing eyes tightly assesses the motor function of this nerve. Weakness, asymmetry, or drooping may indicate facial nerve dysfunction, Bell’s palsy, or stroke. C. Whispering into one ear while occluding the other tests cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve), which is responsible for hearing and balance. It is unrelated to facial movement or cranial nerve VII function. D. Checking visual acuity with a Snellen chart evaluates cranial nerve II (optic nerve), which controls vision. While important in a complete cranial nerve assessment, it does not assess facial muscle strength or symmetry.