Nose

Question 1

If simple measures such as sitting up, leaning forward, and pinching the soft part of the nose below the bridge have failed to cease epistaxis, what can be subsequently tried?

Answer 1

Cautery of a visibly bleeding vessel with silver nitrate stick or packing the nose with e.g. RapidRhino

Question 2

What is the most likely location of the bleeding in epistaxis?

Answer 2

Little’s area - an area of the nasal mucosa at the front of the nasal cavity that contains a lot of blood vessels

Question 3

What defines rhinitis clinically?

Answer 3

The presence of 2 or more of:

Nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal itching and congestion

Question 4

What type of hypersensitive reaction is allergic rhinitis?

Answer 4

IgE-mediated type 1 hypersensitivity reaction

Question 5

How do viral and bacterial sinusitis differ in terms of lenght of symptoms?

Answer 5

Viral - Sx tend to last < 10 days

Bacterial - Sx worsen after 5 days or last > 10 days

Question 6

The presence of which 3 symptoms is enough for a diagnosis of sinusitis?

Answer 6

Facial discomfort (eg, a feeling of congestion or fullness, often unilateral and worse when bending forwards) or pain.
Nasal obstruction or (purulent) nasal discharge or postnasal drip.
Decreased or absent sense of smell.