Overview
The First Minute with a Sudden Facial Droop
A patient who suddenly cannot lift one eyebrow, close one eye, or smile symmetrically has a localization problem before a medication problem.
CNPLE
CNPLE
A patient who suddenly cannot lift one eyebrow, close one eye, or smile symmetrically has a localization problem before a medication problem. If weakness includes the forehead and lower face and the rest of the neurologic examination is normal, an acute peripheral CN VII palsy is the working pattern. Forehead sparing, additional neurologic deficits, bilateral or progressive weakness, severe ear pain, and ear vesicles move the patient out of the typical Bell palsy pathway. Protect an exposed cornea immediately, then use the symptom-onset clock to determine whether corticosteroid treatment can be started within 72 hours.
Unlock full lesson + practice questions
5 more sections with scenarios, priorities, and review drills.
Final rapid review before practice
Next study step
Finish the lesson first, then choose a focused activity to apply what you just reviewed.
Continue studying
Sign in to save progress on this lesson.
Unlock the interactive lesson quiz with a plan that includes this CNPLE pathway. You can still explore topic-filtered questions from the bank hubs below.