Ears, Nose & Throat Flashcards
1
Q
Acute inflammatory process affecting the mucus membrane that lines the upper respiratory tract
A
common cold/upper respiratory tract infection (URI/URTI)
2
Q
Caused by almost 200 different viruses that are part of normal body flora
A
common cold/URI/URTI
3
Q
Group of viruses responsible for 1/2 of the 200 viruses that cause the common cold
A
rhinoviruses
4
Q
Controversial treatment for colds
A
oral antihistamines
5
Q
When do ordinary colds and bacterial colds usually resolve?
A
ordinary cold: 4-5 daysbacterial: 7-10 days
6
Q
SInusitis is the acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the ______
A
paranasal sinuses
7
Q
Sinusitis is caused by ___, ___ and ___ that travel to the sinuses from the nose; often occurs after the patient has been infected by the common cold
A
virus, fungus, bacteria
8
Q
What is another cause of sinusitis?
A
Any condition that blocks sinus drainage and ventilation
9
Q
Treatment: saline nasal sprays and corticosteroid nasal sprays
A
sinusitis
10
Q
What are the 2 types of sinusitis?
A
- acute: 3 to 4 week resolution2. chronic: surgical treatment
11
Q
Type of sinusitis requiring surgery
A
chronic sinusitis
12
Q
Which paranasal sinuses are affected most in sinusitis?
A
maxillary paranasal sinuses
13
Q
Acute or chronic inflammation or infection of the pharynx
A
pharyngitis
14
Q
What is the informal term for pharyngitis
A
sore throat
15
Q
What are 3 types of pharyngitis?
A
- acute2. chronic3. gonococcal
16
Q
Type of pharyngitis that may be secondary to systemic viral infections such as chickenpox and measles
A
acute
17
Q
Type of pharyngitis that occurs when an infection spreads to the pharynx and remains, such as syphilis and tuberculosis
A
chronic
18
Q
Type of pharyngitis resulting from oral-genital sexual activity
A
gonococcal
19
Q
How is streptococcal pharyngitis treated?
A
7-10 day course of antibiotics
20
Q
What are the two conditions that must be ruled out before diagnosing pharyngitis?
A
- epiglottitis2. Ludwig’s angina: cellulitis of the floor of the mouth
21
Q
Head and neck cancer that arises in the area of the pharynx unique in that it is not linked to tobacco use
A
nasopharyngeal carcinoma
22
Q
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma arise in the area of the pharynx that opens into the ____ anteriorly and the ___ inferiorly
A
nasal cavity, oropharynx
23
Q
Cancer often linked to dietary intake or Epstein-Barr Virus infection
A
nasopharyngeal carcinoma
24
Q
What are three main symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
A
- neck mass2. epistaxis3. serous otitis media
25
5 risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma:
1. salted fish in regular diet2. high levels of nitrates3. chinese herbs4. infection with EBV5. first degree relative with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
26
How are early stage and advanced stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated?
early stage: radiation therapyadvanced stage: chemoradiotherapy
27
Inflammation of the larynx including the vocal cords; main symptoms is hoarseness
laryngitis
28
List 5 causes of laryngitis.
1. infection: bacterial or viral2 URI3. reflux laryngitis: repeated attacks of acid reflux4. excessive use of voice5. benign or malignant lesion of the larynx
29
Treatment: voice rest, bed rest, fluid intake, lozenges and cough syrup
laryngitis
30
Chronic laryngitis is treated based on elimination of _____
the causative factor
31
Crooked nasal septum
deviated septum (DNS)
32
What are the two causes of DNS?
1. congenital anomaly2. trauma
33
Treatment is unnecessary unless air passage is compromised; if so, treated surgically
DNS
34
Benign growth that form as a consequence of swollen mucous membranes protruding into the nasal cavity
nasal polyps
35
If polyps grow large enough, they can cause ____ and ____
breathing problems and anosmia (loss of smell)
36
Nasal polyps are caused by the _____ in the cells of the mucous membrane: also allergic rhinitis
overproduction of fluid
37
How are nasal polyps treated?
1. surgical removal2. injection of a steroid directly into the polyps
38
Impairment or loss of the sense of smell
anosmia
39
The _____ form of anosmia can be caused by nasal polyps and allergic rhinitis
chronic form
40
List 3 other causes of anosmia.
1. phobia 2. damage of the olfactory nerves3. intranasal swelling
41
Phobia of a certain smell
psychological anosmia
42
Can cause temporary anosmia
URTI
43
T or F. Damaged nerves can't be repaired in regards to anosmia
T
44
Hemorrhage from the nose
epistaxis
45
What is the informal term for epistaxis
nosebleed
46
List 3 causes of epistaxis.
1. cold/infections that cause crusting which damages the mucous membrane and ruptures vessels2. direct trauma to the nose3. systemic disorders
47
What are 2 common topical cauterization agents used to treat moderate epistaxis?
1. silver nitrate (AgNO3)2. cocaine
48
What are 5 risk factors for epistaxis?
1. vitamin k deficiency2. hypertension3. aspirin ingestion4. high altitude5. anticoagulant therapy
49
Treated with local application of epinephrine followed by cauterization, nasal packing, surgical ligation of a bleeding artery if severe
epistaxis
50
____ lasting longer than 2 weeks is usually the inly symptom of a tumor of the larynx
dysphonia or difficulty speaking
51
What are the 2 types of benign tumors of the larynx?
1. papillomas2. polyps
52
Type of larynx tumor that causes intermittent dysphonia
benign tumors
53
Type of larynx tumor that causes continuous, gradually worsening dysphonia
malignant tumors
54
How is laryngeal cancer treated once it has metastasized?
laryngectomy
55
Neoplasm of the larynx
laryngeal cancer
56
What is the most common site for head and neck tumors?
larynx
57
Laryngeal cancers are mostly _____ carcinomas
squamous cell carcinomas
58
T or F. Laryngeal cancers have peak incidence in the fifth and sixth decades of life
F. Sixth and seventh
59
What are the two major factors for laryngeal cancer, particularly when both occur?
1. smoking2. alcohol abuse
60
How are laryngeal cancers treated?
surgery and/or radiation therapy
61
What are the 4 requirements for hearing?
1. vibratory or sound STIMULUS2. RELAY of sound/vibration to the inner ear3. STIMULATION of tiny hairs in cochlea4. CONDUCTION of nerve impulses to the brain
62
What are the two main types of hearing loss?
1. conductive2. sensorineural
63
Conductive hearing loss is related to impairment of the ____ or ____
eardrum or middle ear ossicles
64
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by impairment of the ____ or _____
cochlea or the auditory nerve
65
Abnormal accumulation of ear wax in the canal of the outer ear, preventing sound waves from reaching the _____
impacted cerumen, tympanic membrane
66
What are 3 main causes for impacted cerumen?
1. dryness and scaling of skin2. excessive hair in ear canal3. abnormally narrow ear canal
67
Treatment: softened with oily drops or hydrogen peroxide and irrigated with water
impacted cerumen
68
Inflammation of the external ear canal
infective otitis externa
69
Infective otitis externa is caused by a buildup of ____ mixed with ___ which is a good place for bacteria or fungi
cerumen mixed with water
70
What are 2 conditions that can cause infective otitis externa?
1. psoriasis2. seborrhea
71
T or F. Infective otitis externa tends to recur and can become chronic
T
72
Inflammation and resulting infection of the outer ear canal after water has been trapped during swimming
swimmer's ear
73
Swimmer's ear is caused by a buildup of ___ mixed with ___ in the ear canal
cerumen mixed with water, exactly like infective otitis externa
74
How are infective otitis externa and swimmer's ear different?
Swimmer's ear infection is caused by swimming; IOE is caused by an already existing infectious process
75
Inflammation of the normally air-filled middle ear with the accumulation of fluid behind the tympanic membrane; can occur unilaterally or bilaterally
otitis media (OM)
76
What are the two types of otitis media?
1. serous or nonsuppurative2. suppurative
77
Type of OM with relatively clear and sterile fluid
serous or nonsuppurative
78
What are two types of serous otitis media?
1. acute2. chronic
79
Acute serous otitis media is caused by a URI virus that has spread through the ____ into the ___
eustachian tube into the middle ear
80
Chronic serous otitis media develops from an acute attack, _____ of the adenoids, or ____ infection
hypertrophy of the adenoids or chronic sinus infection
81
Type of OM caused by bacteria
suppurative
82
Treated with decongestants to promote drainage and antibiotics for suppurative cases
OM
83
How is severe OM treated?
surgical evacuation of the fluid or myringotomy
84
T or F. Myringotomy tubes may need to be inserted after OM is treated to keep the middle ear filled with air and prevent fluid accumulation
T
85
Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, primarily affecting the stapes
otosclerosis
86
T or F. Otosclerosis causes conductive hearing loss
T
87
What is the key symptom of otosclerosis?
tinnitus
88
In otosclerosis, the movement of the ____ is impaired, causing reduced conduction of sound waves
ossicles
89
What is the only cure for otosclerosis?
stapedectomy in which the bone is replaced with a prosthesis
90
If surgery is not an option for a patient with otosclerosis, how does he or she manage the condition?
hearing aids
91
Chronic disease of the inner ear affecting the labyrinth
Ménière's disease
92
What are the 4 core symptoms of Ménière's disease?
1. vertigo2. tinnitus3. progressive hearing loss4. sensation of aural fullness
93
Ménière's disease involves the destruction of the ____ inside the cochlea
tiny hair cells
94
List some predisposing factors for Ménière's disease.
1. middle ear infection2. head trauma3. dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system4. noise pollution5. premenstrual edema
95
Treated by adopting a salt-free diet, restricted fluid intake, avoiding stressful situations
Ménière's disease
96
Ménière's disease can also be treated with surgical destruction of the affected labyrinth by ____
ultrasound
97
Vestibular system disorder stimulated by head movement
benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
98
BPPV is caused by balance or equilibrium disorders where the ___ and ___ are not functioning properly
brainstem and cerebellum
99
What are the 3 drugs prescribed for BPPV?
1. anthistamines2. anticholinergics3. benzodizepines
100
Treated by repeatedly turning the head side to side
BPPV
101
What is the specific diagnostic test for BPPV?
caloric stimulation
102
Inflammation or infection of the labyrinth
labyrinthitis
103
BPPV vs Ménière's disease vs labyrinthitis?
Ménière's disease: BPPV: vertigo stimulated by head movement; vestibular systemLabyrinthitis: constant vertigo not in relation to head movement
104
Labyrinthitis is caused by a virus or bacterial infection that has spread from the _____
middle ear
105
Type of labyrinthitis that can cause permanent hearing deficiency and/or balance problems
bacterial labyrinthitis
106
Any tear or injury to the eardrum that causes a breach in the integrity of the membrane
ruptured tympanic membrane
107
Ruptured tympanic membrane is the result of which 3 main factors?
1. pressure2. force or insult from outside3. increased pressure within the middle earExamples: nearby explosion, fractured skull, severe ear infection, sharp object, etc
108
Treated with patch applied to the eardrum or tympanoplasty
ruptured tympanic membrane
109
Pocket of skin cells located in the middle ear collects into a cyst-like mass and becomes infected
cholesteatoma
110
In cholesteatoma, the bone lining the ____, rods, and ossicles become damaged
middle ear cavity
111
How does cholesteatoma develop?
1. in infancy2. chronic ear infection
112
In cholesteatoma, the ____ fails to open or becomes blocked (OM)
eustachian tube
113
A pocket in the eardrum is formed because the normally air-filled chamber develops a weak ____ causing the eardrum to become retracted
vacuum
114
The early stage of cholesteatoma is treated with thorough cleaning of the ____ and inflation of the ___
middle ear cavity, eustachian tube
115
THe advanced stage of cholesteatoma is treated with surgical reconstruction of the ____
middle ear
116
What are some complications that can arise when surgically reconstructing the middle ear?
deafness, vertigo or erosion of a facial nerve
117
Inflammation of the mastoid bone or mastoid process
mastoiditis
118
What are the 2 types of mastoiditis?
1. acute2. chronic
119
Acute mastoiditis is the result of neglected, untreated, or poorly treated ______
acute otitis media
120
Chronic mastoiditis is associated with _____
advanced cholesteatoma
121
Chronic mastoiditis may be treated with what surgical procedure?
radical masoidectomy
122
Occupational hearing loss where sound waves reach the inner ear but are not perceived
sensorineural hearing loss
123
In sensorineural hearing loss, ____ are not transmitted to the brain
nerve impulses
124
List some causes of sensorineural hearing loss
1. nerve failure2. damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve VIII3. age4. loud noises5. side effects of medication6. physical trauma with fracture of the temporal bone
125
How is sensorineural hearing loss treated?
By reducing the amount of damage to the cochlea by reducing noise levels
