HEENT Emergencies Flashcards
What is HEENT?
Head Ears Eyes Nose Throat
What are some sort of pathologies?
Stroke Bell's Palsy Trauma Neuralgia Infections Allergic Reactions Burns Etc.
What does skin color/condition indicate?
Something is wrong - Lack of perfusion
Head + face should be?
Near symmetrical
Orbital injury?
Eye surrounded by a bony structure - can be #
Sinusitis?
Inflammation of paranasal sinus - pressure pain, headache
Types of head trauma?
Orbital injury
Sinusitis
Penetrating trauma
Vertigo
Sensation of spinning that occurs w/ inflammation of semi-circular ear canals - loss of balance
Otis Externa
Inflammation of the external canal, caused by allergies, bacteria, virus, or trauma, and is most common in hot and humid areas
Otis Media
Inflammation of middle ear, common in children, caused by BACTERIA sneaking up the EUSTACHIAN tube, usually affecting only one ear
Ears
Difficulty hearing may be an acute problem, not just for elderly
-Concussion blasts, hypotension, drugs
Majority balance
-Possible nausea or off balance
Fluid discharge - not normal
Major place for infection in children
-Gently tug earlobe down
Highly vascular - will show swelling/rashes very easily
Corneal Injuries
Loss of the corneal tissue (outermost layer), commonly scratching of the eye’s surface
Hyphema
Blood may accumulate in the anterior cavity between the cornea and the iris
Detached Retina
Separation of the retina from the posterior wall, leads to a “dark curtain” in the field of vision
Eyes assessment
Pupils are the big sign here
-Constricted, dilated, unequal
Pupils can tell you neurological problems, trauma, drugs
Eye pain can be indicative of many problems
Avulsed Eye
Traumatic expulsion of the eyeball from the orbit
Ocular Penetration
Foreign object implanted into the eyeball
Intraocular Pressure
Aqueous humor is produced and filtered in the anterior cavity. Normal pressure helps maintain the eye’s shape
Glaucoma
If above filters become clogged, pressure builds up, gradually causing a loss of peripheral vision
Nose assessment
Airway
Bleeds common for elderly w/ blood pressure issues
Nasal flaring
-Indication of increased work of breathing ESPECIALLY IN PEDIATRICS
Trismus
Lockjaw
Prolonged spasm of jaw, trauma or tetanus infection
Avulsed tooth
If possible place the tooth in NaCL and bring with patient
Epiglottitis
Inflammation causes edema and airway obstruction.
Common in 2-6 years old
Rapid onset
Drooling
Retropharyngeal Abscess
Same S&S as epiglottitis but w/ gradual onset, common after age 6
