Physical Exam - Neck

Question 1

Inspect for what in the neck?

Answer 1

Lumps and bumps, pulsation

Question 2

Palpate for what in the neck?

Answer 2

Lymph nodes, trachea, carotids, CN XI, thyroid gland

Question 3

What should you be cautious of while palpating the neck?

Answer 3

Carotid

Question 4

What is the space between the clavicles?

Answer 4

Manubrium

Question 5

The manubrium is part of what?

Answer 5

Sternum

Question 6

What is the muscle that joins the side of the head to the sternum/clavicle?

Answer 6

Sternocleidomastoid muscle

Question 7

The angle between the jaw/chin and sternocleidomastoid muscle

Answer 7

Anterior triangle

Question 8

Area above clavicle, between trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle

Answer 8

Posterior triangle

Question 9

Parotitis

Answer 9

Inflammation of parotid salivary glands

Question 10

Cause of parotitis

Answer 10

S. Aureus, or virus from mumps (strep or staph)

Question 11

How to avoid parotitis

Answer 11

Vaccination - 3 shot series MMR

Question 12

Assessing the carotid artery - palpation

Answer 12

One side at a time, only enough pressure to feel pulse, should feel equal bilaterally

Question 13

Assessing carotid artery - auscultation

Answer 13

Use bell of stethoscope, check for bruit

Question 14

Assessing the thyroid - inspection

Answer 14

Tip patients head back, inspect region below cricoid cartilage, observe pt swallow - thyroid gland moves upward. Note symmetry and contour

Question 15

Movement of thyroid

Answer 15

Cricoid, thyroid cartilage, and thyroid rise with swallowing then fall into resting place

Question 16

Etiology of hyperthyroidism

Answer 16

Graves’ disease, toxic multi-nodular goiter, toxic adenoma, exogenous thyroid hormone ingestion

Question 17

Hypothyroidism etiology

Answer 17

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, sub-acute thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, thyroid surgery, severe illness, drug induced

Question 18

What is subjective information?

Answer 18

Anything the patient reports, not backed up by physical assessment

Question 19

What is objective information?

Answer 19

Anything YOU find on physical exam

Question 20

Example documentation
Neck: soft supple, trachea midline, thyroid diffusely enlarged soft without nodules, non-tender to touch, no lymphadenopathy

Answer 20

Abnormal

Question 21

example documentation: Head; bossing (bulging) forehead, prolonged chin, no lesions, lumps, or infestations, normal hair distribution

Answer 21

Abnormal