A nurse elicits the gag reflex by touching the posterior wall of a client's throat. Which cranial nerves are functioning normally in this scenario?

The gag reflex is an important physiological response that can be elicited by stimulating the back of the throat, particularly the posterior wall. In this scenario, the cranial nerves that are directly involved in the gag reflex are cranial nerves IX and X.

Cranial nerve IX, also known as the glossopharyngeal nerve, is responsible for providing sensation to the pharynx and helps to trigger the gag reflex when the throat is stimulated. This nerve also has a role in the taste sensation from the posterior one-third of the tongue.

Cranial nerve X, the vagus nerve, is involved in motor functions of the pharynx and larynx. When the gag reflex is initiated, this nerve plays a critical role in the motor response that leads to contraction of the muscles in the throat, facilitating the gag reflex.

Thus, in the context of the question, the normal functioning of both cranial nerves IX and X indicates that the gag reflex can be successfully elicited, demonstrating proper neurological function in that region.