Head/Face/Neck Assessment

Question 1

normal findings for SUTURES

Answer 1

should be NONPALPABLE and NON-MOBILE by adulthood

Question 2

hyoid bone

Answer 2

the ONLY BONE that is not connected to the other bones
- supports the TONGUE
- provides ATTACHMENT for MUSCLES for NECK MOVEMENT & SWALLOWING

Question 3

name the LYMPH NODES that we find in the HEAD & NECK

Answer 3

• PREAURICULAR
• POSTERIOR AURICULAR
• OCCIPITAL
• SUPERFICIAL CERVICAL
• POSTERIOR CERVICAL
• SUPRACLAVICULAR
• TONSILLAR
• SUBMANDIBULAR
• SUBMENTAL

Question 4

name all CRANIAL NERVES in order

Answer 4

CN I - olfactory
CN II - optic
CN III - oculomotor
CN IV - trochlear
CN V - trigeminal
CN VI - abducens
CN VII - facial
CN VIII - acoustic/vesticochlear
CN IX - glossopharngeal
CN X - vagus
CN XI - spinal accessory
CN XII - shoulder shrug

Question 5

name all TESTS for Cranial nerves

Answer 5

CN I - smelling test
CN II - looking at vision/snellen chart/near vision
CN III - looking up, medial, downward
CN IV - looking down and in
CN V - soft/dull test /clenching teeth
CN VI - looking side to side/tracking pen
CN VII - facial expressions
CN VIII - WEBER/RINNE test + hearing
CN IX - speaking/swallowing/gag reflex
CN X - gag reflex/looking at vital signs
CN XI - shrugging the shoulders
CN XII - sticking out the tongue/movements

Question 6

what occurs as we get OLDER - developmental differences?

Answer 6

• loss of ELASTICITY in the SKIN
• more PROMINENT bone structures
• more difficulty PALPATING LYMPH NODES & THYROID GLAND
• ATROPHY

Question 7

vertigo

Answer 7

spinning sensation within the inner ear

Question 8

syncope

Answer 8

fainting sensation - could be a cardiovascular issue

Question 9

disequilibrium

Answer 9

feeling off balance; issue with CNS

Question 10

important to assess with HEAD INJURY

Answer 10

• what is there LOC? did they faint?
• signs of associated symptoms; vomiting, headaches, or amnesia
• any predisposing factors?

Question 11

assessment of a STIFF NECK

Answer 11

• asking about past neck injuries or strains
• any fevers, headaches, or signs of meningitis?
• medications?

Question 12

assessment of they THYROID GLAND

Answer 12

• want to assess for any indication of HYPERTHYROIDISM or HYPOTHYROIDISM
• changes in temp
• swelling?
• change in texture in hair, skin, or nails?
• EXOPHTHALMOS/SWELLING/DOUBLE VISION
• menses changes

Question 13

past personal or family history

Answer 13

• job?
• activities or hobbies?
• sports?
• stressors?
• family history of headaches or thyroid issues?

Question 14

what can a TRACHEAL DEVIATION be a sign of?

Answer 14

can be a sign of a collapsed lung or trauma

Question 15

what is the LYMPHATIC SYSTEM consist of?

Answer 15

• LYMPH FLUID
• COLLECTING DUCTS
• SPLEEN
• THYMUS
• TONSILS + ADENOIDS

Question 16

where is LYMPH TISSUE LOCATED?

Answer 16

seen in MULTIPLE BODY SYSTEMS
ex. stomach mucosa, appendix, bone marrow or the lungs

Question 17

function of the LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Answer 17

retrieves EXCESS FLUID from TISSUE SPACES and returns it to the BLOODSTREAM

Question 18

definition of LYMPH

Answer 18

a FLUID that begins to OOZE out of the body’s TINIEST BLOOD VESSELS
- helps to carry away damaged cells, cancer cells or any pathogens

Question 19

function of LYMPH NODES

Answer 19

helps to FILTER out any DAMAGED CELLS, CANCER CELLS ,or FOREIGN PARTICLES
- has WBC to help destroy those damaged cells etc..

Question 20

assessment of LYMPH NODES

Answer 20

if ENLARGED;
- can be FIRM and MOBLE
- any local/systemic symptoms?
- medications?

if SWELLING;
- is it UNILATERAL or BILATERAL?
- is it INTERMITTENT or CONSTANT?
**unilateral - emphysema
**could be swollen due to BUILD UP of lymphatic fluid

Question 21

what to INSPECT for in LYMPH NODES

Answer 21

• EDEMA
• ERYTHEMA
  -RED STREAKS **can be LYMPHANGITIS - sign of strep or staph infection

Question 22

enlarged lymph nodes

Answer 22

LYMPHADENOPATHY

Question 23

lymphangitis

Answer 23

red streaks on the overlying skin

Question 24

lymphedema

Answer 24

build-up of fluid

Question 25

what do we look/feel for while PALPATING the LYMPH NODES?

Answer 25

• SIZE
• CONSISTENCY
• MOBILITY
• TENDERNESS
• WARMTH

Question 26

what are the NODE CHARACTERISTICS?

Answer 26

HARD - sign of MALIGNANCY
TENDER - sign of INFLAMMATORY PROCESS
RAPID ENLARGEMENT - sign of MALIGNANCY
SLOW ENLARGEMENT - sign of BENIGN PROCESS

**use CIRCULAR MOTIONS
**should NOT PULSATE – ARTERIES PULSATE

Question 27

how do NORMAL NODES feel like?

Answer 27

• often 1 CM or LESS
• can feel MOVABLE + DISCRETE + SOFT + NON-TENDER

Question 28

how do ABNORMAL LYMPH NODES feel like?

Answer 28

if ACUTE;
- can be UNILATERAL or BILATERAL
- often ENLARGED
- WARM & TENDER
- FIRM but MOVABLE

if CANCEROUS;
- can be HARD
- UNILATERAL
- NON-TENDER
- FIXED

Question 29

describe HYPOTHYROIDISM

Answer 29

where the patient does not produce ENOUGH T4/THYROID HORMONE

symptoms;
- COLD INTOLERANCE
- INCREASED FATIGUE
- infertility
- weight gain/coarse voice
- thinner/brittle hair and nails
- heavier menses

assessment;
- thyroid tenderness/inflammation
- enlargement/goiter
- low T4 lab levels

Question 30

describe HYPERTHYROIDISM

Answer 30

where the patient has INCREASED PRODUCTION of T4/TH

symptoms;
- rapid HR, irregular HR
- increased appetite
- weight loss
- goiter
- increased HEAT SENSITIVITY
- more BM
- BULGING EYES

assessment;
- goiter
- ECG
- swelling/enlarged neck
- tender to touch/warmer skin
- movement of gland swallowing

Question 31

traumatic brain injury

Answer 31

often resulting from;
- transportation accidents
- violent events
- falling
- excessive alcohol ingestion
- caregiver incidents–infants or elderly

Question 32

things to consider in OLDER ADULTS

Answer 32

• can have arthritis or osteoporosis - NECK PAIN/decreased ROM
• SPINE - KYPHOSIS
• decreased movements of the neck
• more of a NODULAR THYROID

Question 33

fxn of thyroid gland

Answer 33

• produces T4 and T3
• hormones influence the rate at which the body uses energy, affecting processes like calorie burning, cell growth, and development
• impacts HR, digestion etc…