How should a nurse assess for facial nerve paralysis after a mastoidectomy?

The assessment of facial nerve paralysis, particularly following a mastoidectomy, is crucial due to the proximity of the facial nerve to the surgical site. Testing the function of the facial nerve involves evaluating the patient's ability to perform facial movements, which directly assesses the nerve's functionality. Asking the patient to smile and wrinkle their forehead allows the nurse to observe the symmetry of facial movements and detect any paralysis or weakness. If one side is unable to move or appears droopy compared to the other side, it indicates potential facial nerve impairment.

Other methods like observing for ear drainage or measuring ear temperature do not specifically evaluate the functionality of the facial nerve. While headache severity could relate to overall recovery or other complications, it does not provide information about the facial nerve status. Therefore, asking the patient to perform specific facial movements is the most effective and direct way to assess for facial nerve paralysis in this context.