Chapter 17: Nose, Mouth, & Throat (Practice Questions)

Question 1

The primary purpose of the ciliated mucous membrane in the nose is to:

a. Warm the inhaled air.
b. Filter out dust and bacteria.
c. Filter coarse particles from inhaled air.
d. Facilitate the movement of air through the nares.

Answer 1

b. Filter out dust and bacteria.

Question 2

The projections in the nasal cavity that increase the surface area are called the:

a. Meatus.
b. Septum.
c. Turbinates.
d. Kiesselbach plexus.

Answer 2

c. Turbinates.

Question 3

The tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is the:

a. Uvula.
b. Palate.
c. Papillae.
d. Frenulum.

Answer 3

d. Frenulum.

Question 4

The salivary gland that is the largest and located in the cheek in front of the ear is the _________ gland.

a. Parotid
b. Stensens
c. Sublingual
d. Submandibular

Answer 4

a. Parotid

Question 5

In assessing the tonsils of a 30 year old, the nurse notices that they are involuted, granular in appearance, and appear to have deep crypts. What is correct response to these findings?

a. Refer the patient to a throat specialist.
b. No response is needed; this appearance is normal for the tonsils.
c. Continue with the assessment, looking for any other abnormal findings.
d. Obtain a throat culture on the patient for possible streptococcal (strep) infection.

Answer 5

b. No response is needed; this appearance is normal for the tonsils.

Question 6

The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old patient. Which of these findings would be expected for this patient?

a. Hypertrophy of the gums
b. Increased production of saliva
c. Decreased ability to identify odors
d. Finer and less prominent nasal hair

Answer 6

c. Decreased ability to identify odors

Question 7

The nurse is performing an oral assessment on a 40-year-old Black patient and notices the presence of a 1cm, nontender, grayish-white lesion on the left buccal mucosa. Which one of these statements is true? This lesion is:

a. Leukoedema and is common in dark-pigmented persons.
b. The result of hyperpigmentation and is normal.
c. Torus palatinus and would normally be found only in smokers.
d. Indicative of cancer and should be immediately tested.

Answer 7

a. Leukoedema and is common in dark-pigmented persons.

Question 8

While obtaining a health history, a patient tells the nurse that he has frequent nosebleeds and asks the best way to get them to stop. What would be the nurses best response?

a. While sitting up, place a cold compress over your nose.
b. Sit up with your head tilted forward and pinch your nose.
c. Just allow the bleeding to stop on its own, but dont blow your nose.
d. Lie on your back with your head tilted back and pinch your nose.

Answer 8

b. Sit up with your head tilted forward and pinch your nose.

Question 9

A 92-year-old patient has had a stroke. The right side of his face is drooping. The nurse might also suspect which of these assessment findings?

a. Epistaxis
b. Rhinorrhea
c. Dysphagia
d. Xerostomia

Answer 9

c. Dysphagia

Question 10

A 72-year-old patient has a history of hypertension and chronic lung disease. An important question for the nurse to include in the health history would be:

a. Do you use a fluoride supplement?
b. Have you had tonsillitis in the last year?
c. At what age did you get your first tooth?
d. Have you noticed any dryness in your mouth?

Answer 10

d. Have you noticed any dryness in your mouth?

Question 11

The nurse is using an otoscope to assess the nasal cavity. Which of these techniques is correct?

a. Inserting the speculum at least 3 cm into the vestibule
b. Avoiding touching the nasal septum with the speculum
c. Gently displacing the nose to the side that is being examined
d. Keeping the speculum tip medial to avoid touching the floor of the nares

Answer 11

b. Avoiding touching the nasal septum with the speculum

Question 12

The nurse is performing an assessment on a 21-year-old patient and notices that his nasal mucosa appears pale, gray, and swollen. What would be the most appropriate question to ask the patient?

a. Are you aware of having any allergies?
b. Do you have an elevated temperature?
c. Have you had any symptoms of a cold?
d. Have you been having frequent nosebleeds?

Answer 12

a. Are you aware of having any allergies?

Question 13

The nurse is palpating the sinus areas. If the findings are normal, then the patient should report which sensation?

a. No sensation
b. Firm pressure
c. Pain during palpation
d. Pain sensation behind eyes

Answer 13

b. Firm pressure

Question 14

During an oral assessment of a 30-year-old Black patient, the nurse notices bluish lips and a dark line along the gingival margin. What action would the nurse perform in response to this finding?

a. Check the patients hemoglobin for anemia.
b. Assess for other signs of insufficient oxygen supply.
c. Proceed with the assessment, knowing that this appearance is a normal finding.
d. Ask if he has been exposed to an excessive amount of carbon monoxide.

Answer 14

c. Proceed with the assessment, knowing that this appearance is a normal finding.

Question 15

During an assessment of a 20-year-old patient with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting, the nurse notices dry mucosa and deep vertical fissures in the tongue. These findings are reflective of:

a. Dehydration.
b. Irritation by gastric juices.
c. A normal oral assessment.
d. Side effects from nausea medication

Answer 15

a. Dehydration.

Question 16

A 32-year-old woman is at the clinic for little white bumps in my mouth. During the assessment, the nurse notes that she has a 0.5 cm white, nontender papule under her tongue and one on the mucosa of her right cheek. What would the nurse tell the patient?

a. These spots indicate an infection such as strep throat.
b. These bumps could be indicative of a serious lesion, so I will refer you to a specialist.
c. This condition is called leukoplakia and can be caused by chronic irritation such as with smoking.
d. These bumps are Fordyce granules, which are sebaceous cysts and are not a serious condition.

Answer 16

d. These bumps are Fordyce granules, which are sebaceous cysts and are not a serious condition.

Question 17

During an assessment of a 26 year old at the clinic for a spot on my lip I think is cancer, the nurse notices a group of clear vesicles with an erythematous base around them located at the lip-skin border. The patient mentions that she just returned from Hawaii. What would be the most appropriate response by the nurse?

a. Tell the patient she needs to see a skin specialist.
b. Discuss the benefits of having a biopsy performed on any unusual lesion.
c. Tell the patient that these vesicles are indicative of herpes simplex I or cold sores and that they will heal in 4 to 10 days.
d. Tell the patient that these vesicles are most likely the result of a riboflavin deficiency and discuss nutrition.

Answer 17

c. Tell the patient that these vesicles are indicative of herpes simplex I or cold sores and that they will heal in 4 to 10 days.

Question 18

While performing an assessment of the mouth, the nurse notices that the patient has a 1-cm ulceration that is crusted with an elevated border and located on the outer third of the lower lip. What other information would be most important for the nurse to assess?

a. Nutritional status
b. When the patient first noticed the lesion
c. Whether the patient has had a recent cold
d. Whether the patient has had any recent exposure to sick animals

Answer 18

b. When the patient first noticed the lesion