Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which symptom does NOT typically characterize Bell's palsy?

1. Drooling

2. Inability to swallow

3. Inability to close the eye on the affected side

4. Drooping of the corner of the mouth on the affected side

The correct answer is: Inability to swallow

In Bell's palsy, the symptoms primarily arise from inflammation of the facial nerve, leading to characteristic facial muscle weakness or paralysis. The manifestations often include drooping of one side of the face, drooling due to the inability to control saliva, and the inability to close the eye on the affected side, as these functions rely on the facial nerve's control over the muscles involved. The inability to swallow, while it may occur in some neurological conditions or with significant facial muscle weakness, is not a typical characteristic of Bell's palsy. The condition specifically affects facial muscles, and swallowing primarily involves other muscle groups, including those controlled by different cranial nerves. Thus, the involvement of the facial nerve in Bell's palsy focuses mainly on facial expressions rather than swallowing functions.