What is a characteristic of peripheral CN VII paralysis as observed in a patient unable to close one eye?

Peripheral cranial nerve VII paralysis, commonly known as Bell's palsy, results in distinct clinical features. One of the hallmark characteristics is facial asymmetry. In patients with this condition, the inability to close one eye often leads to an uneven appearance of the face due to weakness of the facial muscles on one side. This results in an inability to smile symmetrically, which is a critical sign of dysfunction in the muscles that CN VII innervates.

The paralysis affects the entire side of the face where the nerve is compromised, causing not just the inability to close the eye but also a noticeable difference in facial expressions, including smiling. This aspect of the condition helps in distinguishing it from other neurological issues that may spare some muscle function. Therefore, the observation of facial asymmetry and the difficulty with facial expressions is a key indicator in the assessment of peripheral CN VII paralysis, making it the correct choice in this scenario.