The nurse uses the whispered voice test to assess a patient’s hearing. The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?

Choice A reason: Cranial Nerve V (trigeminal) controls facial sensation and chewing muscles. It has no role in hearing, which is tested by the whispered voice test, making this an incorrect choice for assessing auditory function. Choice B reason: Cranial Nerve II (optic) is responsible for vision, not hearing. The whispered voice test evaluates auditory acuity, which is unrelated to visual function, making this an incorrect cranial nerve for the assessment. Choice C reason: Cranial Nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear) mediates hearing and balance. The whispered voice test assesses the cochlear branch’s ability to transmit sound, making this the correct cranial nerve evaluated by this hearing test. Choice D reason: Cranial Nerve IV (trochlear) controls the superior oblique eye muscle, affecting eye movement. It is unrelated to hearing, which the whispered voice test assesses, making this an incorrect choice for the described evaluation.