Chapter 16; Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat Flashcards
mucus-lined, air filled cavities that surround the nasal cavity and perform the same air-processing functions of filtration, moistening and warming
paranasal sinuses
continuation of the columella, dividing the nose into a right and left side
nasal septum
project the medical wall into each side of the nasal cavity; add surface area for cleaning, moistening and warming air entering the respiratory tract
turbinates (superior, middle, inferior)
pull pinna up and back to straighten out canal
ADULT assess w/otoscope
** any discharge, redness or swelling can indicate infection**
pull pinna down and back to straighten out canal
CHILD assess with otoscope
inflammation or infection of the mastoid bone
mastioditis
should be pearly gray color
tympanic membrane
** white patches indicate scars from previous infections; if yellow/reddish could indication infection in middle ear;
bulging membrane may indicate increased pressure in the middle ear; blocked eustachian tube**
hearing acuity of high frequency sounds
whisper test
compares air and bone conduction
rinne test
** if bone conducted sounds are as long or longer than air conducted sound, may have some degree of conductive hearing loss**
bone conduction to evaluate if a person can hear better in one ear than the other
weber test
** if can hear better in one ear = poor conduction or nerve damage; recorded as sound lateralized to (right or left) ear **
test equilibrium; perform for 20 seconds
romberg test
** if unable to maintain balance, may be a problem with functioning of the vestibular apparatus*
occult one nostril and ask patient to breathe through other side w/mouth closed
patency testing
** severe inflammation or obstruction if can’t breathe through each naris **
irregular lump in one nasal cavity
deviated septum
nasal cavity abnormal finding
if swollen and red, can be upper respiratory infection
if pale and boggy or swollen, can have chronic allergies
smooth, pale, benign growths found in many patient w/chronic allergies
nasal polyps
mouth assessment abnormal findings?
fever blisters or cold sores can be caused by herpes
pallor or cyanosis may indicate hypoxia
thin vermilion border may be a sign of fetal alcohol syndrome
tongue abnormal findings?
smooth, coated or hair tongue is usually related to dehydration or disease
small tongue may indicated underrnurtrion
tremor of the tongue may indicate a dysfunction of the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII)
delicate flaps of skin and are easily damaged by a direct blow to the mouth during abuse or other trauma
frenula
abnormal finding throat?
viral pharyngitis may accompany a cold; tonsils may be bright red and swollen w/spots on them
diabetic acidosis have a sweet, fruity breath
breath of patients w/kidney disease smells of ammonia
infection of outer ear that causes redness and swelling of the auricle and ear canal and scanty drainage
otitis externa
small white nodules on the helix or anti helix of the ear that contain uric acid crystals and are a sign of gout.
tophi
nosebleed
epistaxis
inflammation of the sinuses usually following a upper respiratory infection
sinusitis
inflammation due to a viral infection or allergy w/watery and copious drainage, sneezing and congestion
rhinitis
displacement of the lower nasal septum; one nasal cavity appears to have an outgrowth or shelf
deviated septum
pale, round, firm, non painful overgrowth of nasal mucosa usually caused by chronic allergic rhinitis
nasal polyps
hole in the septum caused by chronic infection, trauma or sniffing cocaine
perforated septum
