Exam 2: Head (Study Group)

Question 1

Describe posterior and anterior fontanels

Answer 1

Posterior: (Triangle-shaped); Closes at 1 to 2 months

Anterior: (Diamond-shaped); Closes between 9 months and 2 years

Question 2

During what condition does the Thyroid enlarge normally?

Answer 2

Pregnancy

Question 3

What does dysphagia mean?

Answer 3

Difficulty swallowing

Question 4

Describe the differences in growth between the fetal period and during infancy.

Answer 4

Fetal= head growth predominates, head size>chest circumference. Infancy= trunk growth predominates

Question 5

What would “patient experienced a syncope episode at 1300” mean if noted on a patient chart?

Answer 5

The patient fainted at 1pm

Question 6

A patient came in after playing football and is complaining of light & sound sensitivity, nausea, headache, and having trouble speaking & balancing. What may you expect the patient to be experiencing?

Answer 6

Sports concussion

Question 7

Describe Carotid Arteries.

Answer 7

Inspect, Palpate, auscultate (bruits)-hold breath
2+ (pulse rate) and equal bilateral (both carotids are equal)

Bruits: whooshing sound

Question 8

Describe Jugular vein Distension.

Answer 8

HOB raised to 30 degrees without pillow,

JVD is present–then raise to 45 degrees; JVD is normal 3 cm above the sternal angle @ 45 degrees

HOB: Height of bed

Question 9

What approaches can be used when palpating the Thyroid Gland?

Answer 9

Anterior and Posterior

Question 10

Describe the Characteristics/Manifestations of both Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

Answer 10

Hypothyroidism (MYXEDEMA) - think of HIPPO:
Non-Pitting edema face
Puffy hands and feet
Fatigue
Weight gain 
Cold Intolerance
Cool, Dry Skin
Coarse facial features
Dry coarse hair and eyebrows

Hyperthyroidism - someone hyper:
Goiter
Exophthalmos
Nervousness, fatigue, weight loss, muscle cramps, heat intolerance
Forceful tachycardia, shortness of breath excessive sweating, fine muscle tremors, thin silky hair and skin, infrequent blinking, staring appearance.

Question 11

Describe The Headaches: Cluster, Tension, Migraine

Answer 11

Cluster: Unilateral & always on same side of head, excruciating , 1-2 times per day, remission can occur for months to years.
Caused by: alcohol injection, daytime napping
Need to move or pace to relieve the pain

Tension: Occipital, frontal, or band-like/vice like tightness.
Caused by: anxiety, stress, meds like oral contraceptives, substances like alcohol, CO, & CO2

Migraine: Supraorbital, retro-orbital, frontotemporal. Throbbing & severe around twice a month for 1-3 days
Caused by: alcohol, chocolate, cheese, stress, menstruation.
Need to lie down to relieve symptoms (may need it to be dark/silent as well)

Question 12

A 3 month old infant is brought in for a check-up. Which fontanel is expected to be closed?

Answer 12

Posterior Fontanel

Question 13

What are some normal physiological changes that may occur within the geriatric population when it pertains to the head, face, neck, and regional lymph?

Answer 13

Decreased elasticity,

subcutaneous fat,

lack of moisture,

facial bones more prominent,

hair changes,

teeth losses,

cervical vertebrae rigidity,

thyroid gland function decreases

Question 14

The internal carotid arteries supply the what:

Answer 14

Brain

Question 15

The external carotid arteries supply the what:

Answer 15

Face, Salivary Glands, Superficial Temporal Area

Question 16

This vascular headache is relieved by lying down and is triggered by alcohol, stress, menstruation, eating chocolate and cheese. It also has the side effect of nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances.

Answer 16

Migraine