Lymph Node Assessment Flashcards
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are small structures that work as filters for foreign substances, such as cancer cells and infections. They contain immune cells that can help fight infection by attacking and destroying germs that are carried in through the lymph fluid.
What are the general things we do before starting a head and neck lymph node assessment?
Introduce yourself, explain the procedure and gain consent, preform hand hygiene, and position patient.
How do we position a patient for a lymph node assessment?
Relaxed neck, sitting upright with head neutral.
What is involved in a lymph node assessment?
Inspection, palpation, and conclusion.
What is involved in inspection of the lymph nodes?
Inspect the patients head position, symmetry, size, shape, and accessory neck muscles.
What’s involved in palpation of the lymph nodes?
Use the pads of the middle two or three fingers to gently palpate each lymph node location using a circular motion. There are 9 locations that can be located and palpated in any order.
What are the 9 lymph node locations?
Occipital, post auricular, pre auricular, jugulodigastric aka tonsillar, submandibular x 2, submental, superficial, posterior cervical, deep cervical chains, and supraclavicular.
What causes swelling for the occipital lymph nodes?
Bacterial infections, psoriasis, and ringworm can cause swelling of the occipital lymph nodes. A variety of skin infections can affect the scalp, which can cause the occipital lymph nodes to swell
Where is the occipital lymph node located?
Occipital lymph nodes are those found on the back of your head, near the base of your skull
What causes swelling for the post auricular lymph nodes?
Most commonly ear infections
What causes swelling for the pre auricular lymph nodes?
Most commonly ear infections
Where is the pre auricular lymph node located?
Just in front of the ear
What causes swelling for the Tonsillar/Jugulodigastric lymph nodes?
They usually swell secondary to common viral infections
Where is the Tonsillar/Jugulodigastric lymph node located?
Just under the ear
What causes swelling for the Posterior cervical lymph nodes?
general infections
What causes swelling for the Posterior cervical lymph nodes?
General infections
Where is the posterior cervical lymph node located?
Located behind the SCM muscle.
What does SCM stand for?
sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle
What is the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle?
Sternocleidomastoid is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck
What causes swelling to the deep cervical chain?
General infections, injurys, or cancer
Where can you locate the deep cervical chain?
The deep cervical lymph nodes are contained in the carotid sheath in the neck, close to the internal jugular vein
What causes swelling of the supraclavicular lymph nodes?
These generally suggest cancer or an infection in the region close by. Examples include lung infection, lung cancer, lymphoma in the chest cavity, or breast cancer.
Where are the supraclavicular lymph nodes located?
Each side of the body in the hollow superior to the clavicle
What causes swelling of the superficial cervical lymph nodes?
General infections, injury, or cancer
Where are the superficial cervical lymph nodes located?
Along the SCM muscle
What causes swelling of the submandibular lymph nodes?
Upper respiratory infections, including the cold and flu
Where are the submandibular lymph nodes located?
Under and along the jaw line
What causes swelling of the submental lymph node?
General infections, injury, or cancer
Where is the submental lymph node located?
Directly under the chin
What are you comparing in this assessment?
Each side of the neck.
Label Lymph Node: A
Posterior Auricular
Label Lymph Node: B
Occipital
Label Lymph Node: C
Tonsillar/Jugulodigastric
Label Lymph Node: D
Superficial cervical
Label Lymph Node: E
Posterior cervical
Label Lymph Node: F
Supraclavicular
Label Lymph Node: G
Preauricular
Label Lymph Node: H
Submandibular
Label Lymph node: I
Submental
Label Lymph Node: J
Deep Cervical Chain
What characteristics do we use to describe a lymph node?
Size, Shape, Location, Consistency, Mobility, and Tenderness.
Before touching the patient for the Lymph node assessment what should we ask?
Ask if the patient has any tender areas.
Whats an example of inspection for the lymph node assessment?
Head is centered in the midline, appears to be normocephalic in shape. No presence of dystrophy or hypertrophy in any of the accessory muscles
What does normocephalic in shape mean?
Referring to a head of normal shape and of normal size for the person’s age.
What is the palpation technique for the lymph node assessment?
You will use the pads of two to three fingers to gently palpate each location using a circular motion. This is done systematically.
Generally where should the nurse be standing during a lymph node assessment?
Front on to the patient.
What’s an example of how we would conclude a lymph node assessment for where we did not locate any lymph nodes?
I have completed the assessment. I haven’t palpated any lymph nodes that were enlarged however if I did, I would be looking for the tenderness, location, consistency, shape, size, & mobility.
