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health assessment > ears, nose, mouth, throat assessment - Sheet1 > Flashcards

ears, nose, mouth, throat assessment - Sheet1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary function of the ear?

A

The ear is the sensory organ for hearing and equilibrium, with the semicircular canals providing balance information to the brain about body position.

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2
Q

What are the three divisions of the ear?

A

External ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

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3
Q

What separates the external ear from the middle ear?

A

The tympanic membrane (eardrum), which is oval, translucent, and pearly-gray.

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4
Q

What is the function of the middle ear?

A

Conducts sound vibrations from the outer ear to the central hearing apparatus in the inner ear.

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5
Q

What is the role of the Eustachian tube?

A

Connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, allowing equalization of air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane. The tube is normally closed but opens with swallowing or yawning.

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6
Q

How does the Eustachian tube differ in infants/children compared to adults?

A

It is shorter and more horizontal, making it easier for pathogens to move from the nasopharynx to the ear, which increases the risk of ear infections in infants and children.

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7
Q

What is the appearance of a healthy tympanic membrane?

A

Oval, translucent, and pearly-gray.

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8
Q

What part of the ear provides information about balance to the brain?

A

The semicircular canals in the inner ear.

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9
Q

What assessments are important when examining the tympanic membrane?

A

Check color, shape, and position; a healthy membrane is pearly-gray, translucent, and positioned in the center without bulging or retraction.

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10
Q

Why might infants and young children experience more frequent ear infections?

A

The shorter, more horizontal Eustachian tube in children allows easier access for pathogens from the nasopharynx to the middle ear.

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11
Q

What subjective data should be gathered during an ear assessment?

A

Earaches, infections, discharge, hearing loss, environmental noise, tinnitus (ringing), vertigo (spinning), and self-care behaviors (e.g., use of Q-tips, applying sunblock to ears).

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12
Q

What are common indicators of hearing loss observed during conversation?

A

Lip reading or face-watching, frowning or straining to hear, head posturing, frequently asking to repeat questions, irritability or startle reflex when speaking loudly, speech sounds garbled, inappropriately loud voice, or flat tone.

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13
Q

What are normal findings during external ear inspection?

A

Ears are equal in size, symmetrical, skin color matches the face, no swelling, lumps, lesions, or drainage.

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14
Q

What is noted during palpation of the ear?

A

No tenderness or deformity; palpation of the pinna, tragus, and mastoid process should be painless.

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15
Q

How is the ear positioned when using an otoscope in adults and children under 3 years?

A

For adults: pull pinna up and back. For children under 3 years: pull pinna down.

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16
Q

What are you looking for in the external ear canal during otoscope inspection?

A

Note any redness, swelling, lesions, foreign bodies, or discharge.

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17
Q

What does a normal tympanic membrane (TM) look like?

A

Shiny, translucent, pearly-gray color with a cone-shaped light reflex (5 o’clock position in right ear, 7 o’clock in left ear), with no perforations or discoloration.

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18
Q

What does a perforated tympanic membrane indicate?

A

Indicates an abnormal finding; perforations are not normal and may suggest trauma or infection.

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19
Q

What are signs of otitis media observed in the tympanic membrane?

A

The TM may appear yellow or amber, suggesting fluid behind the membrane, or it may be red, indicating inflammation.

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20
Q

How is the whisper test conducted?

A

Stand about 2 feet behind the person, whisper a combination of numbers or letters, and ask them to repeat it. Use if conversational hearing seems normal; no additional testing if whisper test is passed.

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21
Q

How should an otoscope be handled during an ear exam?

A

Hold it upside down and anchor your hand on the person’s cheek to prevent sudden movements and avoid forceful insertion. Use the largest speculum that comfortably fits the ear canal.

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22
Q

What are abnormal findings related to skin conditions on the ears?

A

Eczema (crusts and scaling), decubitus ulcers (from oxygen tubing), lumps, or lesions.

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23
Q

What is tinnitus?

A

Ringing or roaring noise in the ear.

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24
Q

What are possible reasons to avoid using Q-tips in the ear canal?

A

Q-tips may push wax further into the ear canal or cause trauma; ear cleaning is best left to specialists.

25
Q

What does “earache” indicate in an assessment?

A

It may signal infection, fluid buildup, or injury to the ear structures and requires further evaluation of pain type and associated symptoms.

26
Q

How do environmental noise and hearing loss relate in patient history?

A

Chronic exposure to loud noise can contribute to gradual hearing loss over time.

27
Q

What is vertigo, and what does it signify?

A

A sensation of room spinning, possibly indicating inner ear or balance disorders.

28
Q

What is the function of the eustachian tube?

A

Connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, equalizing air pressure on either side of the tympanic membrane.

29
Q

How does the eustachian tube differ in children?

A

It is shorter and more horizontal, allowing easier passage of pathogens from nasopharynx to the ear.

30
Q

What is assessed for in ear inspection?

A

Symmetry, size, lesions, skin color, lumps, drainage, tenderness.

31
Q

How should the ear be manipulated for otoscope inspection in a child under 3?

A

Pull the pinna down.

32
Q

How should the ear be manipulated for otoscope inspection in an adult?

A

Pull the pinna up and back.

33
Q

What is the normal appearance of the tympanic membrane (TM)?

A

Shiny, translucent, pearly-gray, with a cone of light reflex at 5-7 o’clock.

34
Q

What is sinus patency assessment?

A

Patient occludes one nostril and sniffs through the other, checking for unobstructed airflow.

35
Q

What are the main sinuses palpated in an exam?

A

Frontal and maxillary sinuses.

36
Q

What findings are normal when palpating sinuses?

A

Patient feels pressure but no pain.

37
Q

What is assessed in the nasal cavity with a nasal speculum?

A

Inspect for symmetry, smooth moist surfaces, no swelling, discharge, bleeding, or foreign bodies.

38
Q

What are normal findings for the turbinates?

A

Red and tender when touched, no polyps or growths.

39
Q

What is anosmia?

A

Loss of sense of smell.

40
Q

What are common symptoms in nose and sinus assessments?

A

Discharge, frequent colds, sinus pain, trauma, nosebleeds, allergies, altered smell.

41
Q

What is assessed in the mouth and throat for color and moisture?

A

Lips, gums, tongue, and oral mucosa are checked for color, moisture, cracking, and lesions.

42
Q

What is cheilitis and its common causes?

A

Cracking at the corners of the mouth, often caused by yeast infection or weakened immune system.

43
Q

What is leukoplakia and its risk factors?

A

White patches on gums or inside cheeks, often associated with tobacco or alcohol use.

44
Q

What are common abnormal findings for the gums?

A

Swelling, bleeding, dark lines (lead poisoning), or hypertrophy (may occur in pregnancy/puberty).

45
Q

What is thrush and its common causes?

A

A white, cheesy patch on the tongue, often following antibiotic or corticosteroid use, or in immunocompromised.

46
Q

What is a black hairy tongue and its cause?

A

Elongated papillae on the tongue, often following antibiotic use, allowing fungal overgrowth.

47
Q

What is angioedema and its treatment?

A

Swelling around the mouth and face, often caused by allergens or meds; emergency treatment may involve epinephrine.

48
Q

What is cleft lip/palate?

A

A congenital deformity with a fissure or opening in the lip or palate due to non-fusion during gestation.

49
Q

What are special considerations for feeding babies with cleft lip/palate?

A

Adaptive nipples are used to assist in feeding and nursing.

50
Q

What is the benefit of modern surgical options for cleft lip/palate?

A

Excellent surgical procedures are available to help repair the deformity and improve function and appearance.

51
Q

Why are young children considered obligate nose breathers?

A

They primarily breathe through their nose, which is essential for feeding and overall oxygenation.

52
Q

Where are head and neck lymph nodes palpated?

A

Palpate around the jawline, neck, clavicles, behind the ears, and under the chin.

53
Q

What does the Weber test assess?

A

It measures bone conduction by placing a tuning fork on the head to check for lateralization of sound.

54
Q

What does it mean if sound lateralizes in the Weber test?

A

Sound will lateralize (favor one side) with unilateral hearing loss, indicating a possible issue in one ear.

55
Q

What does the Rinne test assess?

A

It compares air conduction to bone conduction by placing the tuning fork on the mastoid bone and near the ear canal.

56
Q

What is a normal result for the Rinne test?

A

Air conduction should be heard for twice as long as bone conduction, indicating normal hearing.

57
Q

What hearing changes are common in the geriatric population?

A

High-tone hearing loss is common, especially in those with prolonged exposure to loud noises or industrial work.

58
Q

What changes may be seen in geriatric patients’ eardrums?

A

Eardrums may appear whiter in color.

59
Q

What is a common physical change in geriatric ear canals?

A

Coarse, wiry hairs may be present in the ear canal.

health assessment (11 decks)

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