Joan Centers, a 42-year-old patient, presents to the clinic with drooping of the right side of the face with
paralysis of the right eyelid resulting in decreased blinking and inability to close the eye. The patient has
increased lacrimation of the right eye. The patient complains that the right side of her face feels like pins
and needles pricking it, and the pain includes her right eye and behind her right ear. The patient’s speech
is slurred and the patient has no control of facial muscles on the right side when swallowing. (Learning
Objective 4)
How should the nurse describe the diagnosis of Bell’s palsy to the patient?
What medical treatments does the nurse anticipate will be ordered for the patient, and what rationale
justifies the treatments?
What nursing care should be provided for the patient?
Sample Solution
