HEENT (part 2) Flashcards
What is gouty tophi?
Deposit of uric acid crystals after years of chronically elevated uric acid
What are two common types if skin cancer that appear on the external ear and what do that look like?
BCC: raised, pearly nodule with central telangiectasia
SCC: crusted boarder, central ulceration, bleeding
What CN is associated with hearing?
CN VIII
How do you conduct a gross hearing test?
Rub fingers together by each ear
If gross hearing is reduced, what do you need to distinguish between?
Conductive Loss- problem conducting sound waves (EAC, TM or middle ear) Abnormality usually visible
Sensorineural Loss- disorder of the inner ear, cochlear nerve (CN VIII) impairs transmission of nerve impulse to brain. Problem is NOT visible.
What is air conduction in regards to hearing?
Sound transmitted through air (EAC, TM, middle ear) into cochlea
What is bone conduction in regards to hearing?
Sound transmitted though vibrations in bone. Bypass external & middle ear
oVibration of the skull stimulates the inner ear directly
Air conduction > Bone conduction = ?
Bone conduction > Air conduction = ?
Air conduction > Bone conduction = Normal or sensorineural hearing loss
Bone conduction > Air conduction = conductive hearing loss
What is the purppse of the Weber test?
To test Weber or not the sound latereralizes!! :)
How do you conduct a weber test?
Place vibrating tuning fork on top of the head (bone conduction)
Ask patient where they hear the sound (L, R or both?)
NORMAL: Hear sound in both ears equally ABNORMAL: Sound lateralizes
In a weber test, if the sound lateralizes to the impaired ear, what kind of hearing loss is it?
Conductive hearing loss
In a weber test, if the sound lateralizes to the good ear, what kind of hearing loss is it?
Sensorineural hearing loss
What are some possible causes of conductive hearing loss?
Otitis media, perforation (ruptured eardrum), cerumen (earwax), otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth)
What are some possible causes of sensorineural hearing loss?
Presbycusis (age related hearing loss), noise exposure, head trauma
How do you conduct a rinne test and what does it tests for?
Compares air and bone conduction
Place tip of vibrating tuning fork on mastoid bone
Ask pt if they can hear it; have them tell you when sound stops
Move tuning fork in front of ear; ask if they can still hear it.
If they can still hear the sound, then AC>BC (NORMAL TEST)
Hearing loss R ear
Weber: Lateralize to R
Rinne: BC>AC in R
What kind of hearing loss?
Conductive Hearing loss R
Hearing loss R ear
Weber: Lateralize to L
Rinne: AC>BC in R
What kind of hearing loss?
Sensorineural Hearing loss R
Where is the cone of light located in the ear?
Located in the anterior and inferior quadrant of TM
How do you conduct a phneumatic otoscopic exam and what does it test for?
Used to assess TM mobility, serous otitis media, TM perforations
Speculum large enough for a snug fit
GENTLY squeeze bulb to send a puff of air
against the TM.
Normal ear- TM moves inward
Abnormal- no TM movement
What is tympanosclerosis?
Chalky white patch- Scarring of the TM
Seen in recurrent Otitis Media or hx of tubes or previous perforation
If you see serous effusion with air bubbles during your otoscopic exam and the pt complains of fullness/popping in their ear what might you suspect?
Viral URI or barotrauma (injury caused by increased air/water pressure)
What might you consider if a pt has repeat otis media, persistent effusion, or hearing loss?
Myringotomy Tube
Usually remain in ear for 6-12 months
Frequently fall out on own
If you observe hermorrhagic vesicle and obscured landmarks during your otoscopic exam and conductive hearing loss, what might you suspect?
Bullous Myringitis
If you see drainage and edema of the ear canal and the pt complains of tenderness with movement of the tragus and pinna what might you suspect?
Otitis Externa