Nose, Mouth, and Throat

Question 1

Preparation Objective data:

Answer 1

• Position sitting up straight

- If person wears dentures, offer a paper towel and ask person to remove them

Question 2

Inspection and Palpation: Nose I

Answer 2

Should be Symmetrical 
External nose
Nasal cavity: use speculum
Nasal septum: note any holes
Nasal turbinates
-mucous should be moist and pink

Question 3

Examination of Sinus Areas:

Answer 3

Palpation: frontal (fingers on bony ridge of eyebrows) and maxillary (bony cheek) can be palpated
Transillumination: can be used

Question 4

Inspection of the Mouth:

Answer 4

Teeth and gums: hygiene
Tongue: rough, pink, look under tongue, note lesions
Buccal mucosa: inside of cheeks, line from teeth closing = normal
Palate: pink & moveable
-Uvula vibrates: but should not go up or either side
-bite front teeth slightly over bottom teeth
-lips - dark skinned: bluish is color, dark line in gums

Question 5

Inspection of Throat I:

Answer 5

-Observe oval, rough-surfaced tonsils:
1+ =visible
2+ = halfway between pillars 
3+ touching uvula
4+ touching each other 
-Enlarge your view of the posterior pharyngeal wall by depressing tongue with tongue blade

Question 6

Developmental Competence: Aging Adult I

Answer 6

-Nose may appear more prominent on face from a loss of subcutaneous fat.
In edentulous person, mouth and lips fold in, giving a “purse-string” appearance.
-Teeth may look slightly yellowed, but color is uniform; yellowing results from dentin visible through worn enamel.
-Surface of incisors may show vertical cracks from a lifetime of exposure to extreme temperatures.
-Teeth may look longer as gum margins recede
-Tongue a little more smooth.

Question 7

Summary Checklist: Nose, Mouth, and Throat Examination

Answer 7

-Nose
Inspect external nose for symmetry, any deformity, or lesions.
Palpation: test patency of each nostril
Inspect with nasal speculum nasal mucosa, septum, and turbinates.
Palpate the sinus area.
-Mouth and throat
Inspect with penlight: mouth, teeth and gums, buccal mucosa, palate and tonsils, and pharyngeal wall.
Palpate when indicated.

Question 8

Abnormalities of the Nose

Answer 8

• Choanal atresia
• Epistaxis: nose bleed, anterior = running out of nose, posterior = taste and feel it coming down throat
• Foreign body
• Perforated septum: common in cociane users
• Furuncle
• Acute rhinitis: upper respiratory
• Allergic rhinitis: seasonal
• Sinusitis: sinus imflammation = tooth aches, pressure, nasal drainage
• Nasal polyps
• Carcinoma

Question 9

Abnormalities of Buccal Mucosa:

Answer 9

Aphthous ulcers: canker sores
Koplik’s spots
Leukoplakia
Candidiasis or monilial infection: tongue white = thrush, common w/ chemotherapy or HIV or persons on steroids or antibiotics

Question 10

Abnormalities of the Tongue:

Answer 10

Ankyloglossia: short attachment of tongue to lower tongue (tongue-tied)

Question 11

Abnormalities of the Oropharynx:

Answer 11

Cleft palate
Bifid uvula
Oral Kaposi’s sarcoma
Acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis