The APRN asks the patient to elevate his eyebrows, close his eyes, smile, frown, and puff out his cheeks. Which cranial nerve is the NP assessing by issuing these instructions?

Choice A reason: This choice is correct because the facial nerve (CN VII) controls the muscles of facial expression, including eyebrow elevation, eye closure, smiling, frowning, and cheek puffing. Assessing these movements evaluates CN VII function. Choice B reason: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) primarily mediates facial sensation and mastication muscles, not facial expressions. Choice C reason: The oculomotor nerve (CN III) controls most extraocular eye movements and eyelid elevation, not the full range of facial expressions tested. Choice D reason: The abducens nerve (CN VI) controls lateral eye movement only and is not involved in facial expressions.