Head, Nose And Throat Assesement

Question 1

What are expected general survey findings when assessing H, N, T

Answer 1

LOC: awake and alert
Speech: appropriate and easy
Anatomy: present and symmetrical
Movement: easy, symmetrical
Behavior: understanding, responsive

Question 2

List the lymph nodes of the head and neck in order of palpation

Answer 2

• Pre-auricular
• Posterior auricular
• Tonsillar
• Submandibular
• Submental
• Occipital
• Superficial cervical
• Antirior/deep cervical chain
• Posterior cervical
• Supraclavicular

Question 3

What is hydrocephalus?

Answer 3

An increase of CSF in the ventricles of the brain; results in a bulging head and increased ICP

Question 4

What is fetal alcohol syndrome?

Answer 4

Developmental delays and congenital abnormalities cause by a maternal intake of alcohol during pregnancy; results in microcephaly, flattened upper lip, and developmental/learning disabilities

Question 5

What is Down syndrome (trisomy 21)?

Answer 5

Mutation of the genome where there’s an extra C 21 or C 14 or 15 translocates to C 21 or 22; results in microcephaly, a flat occipital bone, depressed nasal bridge, and (often) mild to significant intellectual delays

Question 6

What is cretinism (congenital hypothyroidism)?

Answer 6

A chronic hypothyroidism from birth; results in puffy features and large tongues
*common where diets are deficient in iodine

Question 7

What is craniosynostosis?

Answer 7

The premature ossification of fontanels resulting in skull deformities

Question 8

What is torticollis?

Answer 8

Contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; results in and incline of the head to one side and a limited range of motion

Question 9

What is acromegaly?

Answer 9

A surproduction of GH; results in a thickening of skin, subcutaneous tissue and facial bone

Question 10

What is Bell’s palsy?

Answer 10

Unilateral paralysis of CN VII; caused by trauma, compression or infection

Question 11

What is Cushing syndrome?

Answer 11

Surproduction of exogenous ACTH; results in round (“moon”) face, fat and velvety discolouration at the nape of the neck

Question 12

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 12

Degenerative neurological disorder; results in a flat affect, ridig muscles and a shuffling gait

Question 13

What is a cerebrovascular accident?

Answer 13

“Stroke.” Embolism, hemorrhage or vasospasm in the brain; results in ischemia of surrounding tissue

Question 14

What is scleroderma?

Answer 14

Hardening of the skin first noted in the hands and face; results in limited mobility that may interfere with chewing, speaking and swallowing, among other things

Question 15

What is a goitre?

Answer 15

Enlarged thyroid gland linked to hypo/hyperthyroidism; results in a compression of neck structures

Question 16

What is myxedema?

Answer 16

Preorbital swelling and edema of the face, hands and feet due to severe hypothyroidism

Question 17

What might swelling of the anterior cervical lymph nodes indicate?

Answer 17

Pharyngitis

Question 18

What might swelling of the posterior cervical lymph nodes indicate?

Answer 18

Mononeucleosis

Question 19

What might swelling of the posterior auricular lymph nodes indicate?

Answer 19

Otitis media

Question 20

What might swelling of the supraclavicular lymph nodes indicate?

Answer 20

Metastatic, lung or abdominal cancers

Question 21

What is thyrotoxicosis?

Answer 21

Hyperthyroidism

Question 22

What is a bifid uvula?

Answer 22

Minor cleft on the posterior soft palette; appears as a double uvula

Question 23

What is torus palatinus?

Answer 23

A bony ridge that runs through the middle of the hard palette

Question 24

What is Ludwig angina?

Answer 24

A swelling of the floor of the mouth that pushes the tongue into the airway

Question 25

What is allergic rhinitis?

Answer 25

Irritation and inflammation of the nasal cavity due to airborne allergens

Question 26

What is atopy?

Answer 26

Genetic predisposition to develop allergies to harmless substances

Question 27

What is Churg-Strauss syndrome?

Answer 27

Rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels in asthmatic patients

Question 28

What is Wegener granulomatosis?

Answer 28

Rare autoimmune disease that inflames blood vessels around the body

Question 29

What is Sjögren syndrome?

Answer 29

Rare autoimmune disease where the glands that moisten the eyes and mouth are attacked

Question 30

What might hypertensive medication do to the nose, throat, and sinuses?

Answer 30

Cause coughing and nasal congestion

Question 31

What is epistaxis?

Answer 31

Nosebleeds; vessels in the septum burst

Question 32

What might antidepressant medication do to the nose, throat, and sinuses?

Answer 32

Dry the mucous membranes

Question 33

What might analgesic medication do to the nose, throat, and sinuses?

Answer 33

Create congestion

Question 34

What is bruxism?

Answer 34

Teeth grinding

Question 35

What is halitosis?

Answer 35

Bad breath

Question 36

What is a deviated nasal septum?

Answer 36

When the cartilage and bone separating nares displaces to one side

Question 37

What is the Kiesselback plexus?

Answer 37

Plexus of blood vessels on the anterior septum; where the majority of nosebleeds originate from

Question 38

What is anosmia?

Answer 38

A decreased or absent sense of smell

Question 39

What is odynophagia?

Answer 39

Pain when swallowing

Question 40

What are Fordyce granules?

Answer 40

Small, benign white/yellow papules that may be found on the tongue, cheeks or lips

Question 41

What is Geographic tongue?

Answer 41

Harmless inflammatory condition that makes the tongue appear "rocky" or slightly wrinkled

Question 42

What is the tonsillar grading scale?

Answer 42

A scale of 1-4 that grades the obstruction of enlarged tonsils

Question 43

What is a quincy?

Answer 43

A paratonsillar absess full of pus that develops behind the tonsils

Question 44

What is GERD?

Answer 44

Acid reflux (gastroesopharangeal reflux disease)

Question 45

What is gustatory rhinitis?

Answer 45

Swelling and oozing of the sinuses due to ingestion of food; often spicy or hot foods

Question 46

What is malocclusion?

Answer 46

A misalignment of upper and lower teeth

Question 47

What does edentulous mean?

Answer 47

A person without teeth

Question 48

What is angular cheilitis?

Answer 48

Inflammation of one or both corners of the mouth; results in cracked skin

Question 49

What is Xerostomia?

Answer 49

Dry mouth

Question 50

What is a fissures tongue/scrotal tongue?

Answer 50

Benign, deep grooves in the tongue

Question 51

What are epulis?

Answer 51

Tumor-like masses made of tissue from the gums

Question 52

What is choanal atresia?

Answer 52

Congenital narrowing if the back of the nasal cavity that may interfere with breathing

Question 53

What is ankyloglossia?

Answer 53

Short lingual frenulum

Question 54

What are Bednar aphthae?

Answer 54

Ulcerative abrasions on the back of the hard palette; caused by hard sucking

Question 55

What are epstein pearls?

Answer 55

Pearly white papules that occur along the median hard palette

Question 56

What is hemangioma?

Answer 56

A benign mass of blood vessels

Question 57

What is a perforated septum?

Answer 57

A hole in the nasal septum

Question 58

What is kaposi sarcoma?

Answer 58

Cancerous growth of the mucous membranes; tongue, gums, palette