Head and Neck Assessment

Question 1

List every major part of the head and neck assessment

Answer 1

HEAD/NECK
Eyes
Nose
Ears
Mouth/Oral Pharynx

Question 2

Head and Neck assessment: HEAD/NECK
(3 Sections)

Answer 2

GENERAL HEAD INSPECTION:
Size
- (acromegaly or microcephaly): abnormally large or abnormally small
held erect
mid-line aka symmetry
temporal pulse

SCALP/HAIR:
Hair color
Hair distribution & quality
Pediculosis (lice)
dandruff
Hirsutism - excessive hair growth

PALPATE:
Masses
Tenderness
Mobility

Question 3

Head and Neck assessment: Eyes
8 Sections

Answer 3

GENERAL EYE:
Pallor, dryness, edema

EYELID:
Ectropion - everted eyelid
Entropion - Inverted eyelid, can lead to corneal damage
Ptosis - Drooping of eyelid (CVA = cerebrovascular accident or Bell’s Palsy)
Check Eyebrow/eyelashes

PUPIL:
Color
Pupil size (Should be equal 3-7mm)

PERLA:
Pupil
Equal
Round
Reactive
Light
Accommodation: if constricts when focusing

ASSESS VISION:
Hyperopia - far sighted
Myopia - near sighted
Presbyopia - Changes due to aging > 40 years
Snellen chart for reading

SCLERA AND CONJUNCTIVA FOR “CCAI-LD-T”:

Color
Capillaries
Allergies
Inflammation
Liver Disorders
Trauma

LENS AND CORNEA SHOULD BE”
- Transparent, smooth and Moist
- Corneal abrasion or trauma = roughness and irregularity

Palpate external structures

Question 4

Head and Neck assessment: Ear

Answer 4

PINNA:
Color, Lesions, Shape, Symmetry

PALPATE:
Smoothness, tenderness, pliable and nodules

CHECK FOR:
Cerumen: sticky substance in outer ear
Check for Discharge, hearing aids, acuity

ASSESS HEARING:
Presbycusis - Loss of high pitched sounds, sensorineural loss sounds

ASSESS FOR PAIN/INFECTION:
Otitis externa, otitis media, Meniere’s disease

Question 5

Head and Neck assessment: Nose

Answer 5

EXTERNAL STRUCTURES FOR:
position, nasal flaring

INTERNAL STRUCTURES FOR :
drainage, tenderness, hair growth

PALPATE EXTERNAL STRUCTURE

Question 6

Head and Neck assessment: Mouth/Oral Pharynx

Answer 6

MOUTH AND LIPS FOR:
Symmetry. swallowing problems, dryness
Ask client if they smoke

PALPATE LIPS FOR:
Thyroid, carotid pulses, ROM

TEETH:
Dentures, periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene

TONGUE:
Dorsal, ventral and lateral aspect for: Color, texture, moisture, lesions

What are three changes that would be expected findings during head and neck exam of an older adult?
- Decreased saliva production
- Decreased sense of taste
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Tooth loss

Question 7

What are three changes that would be expected findings during head and neck exam of an older adult?

Answer 7

• Decreased saliva production
• Decreased sense of taste
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Tooth loss