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Bell Palsy — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

CN VII → one-sided facial droop

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Bell Palsy on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Mech

Key facts

CN VII (facial) inflammation
Often post-viral, idiopathic

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Signs

What to look for

Unilateral facial droop
Can't close eye, drooling
Loss of taste, ↓ tearing

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Do

Nursing actions

Protect eye: drops + patch
Corticosteroids early
Facial exercises, warm compress

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Teach

Teaching points

Usually resolves wks-months
Chew on unaffected side

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Quick Tip

Affects cranial nerve VII (facial) and causes ipsilateral flaccid paralysis of the entire half of the face including the forehead, distinguishing it from central (stroke) causes that spare the forehead.

📖 Related Topics

Hypokalemia Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia Heart Failure

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