Head & Neck - TEST 1 Flashcards
(38 cards)
How is the Chvostek sign elicited and what does it indicate?
Tap slightly anterior to ear below zygomatic bone; positive if twitching—indicates hypocalcemia
What do you inspect in the neck?
Symmetry, trachea alignment, masses, webbing, muscle symmetry, ROM, JVD, carotid prominence
What do you palpate in the neck?
Tracheal position, lymph nodes, joints, hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, tracheal tugging
What do you auscultate in the neck?
Thyroid and carotid arteries for bruits
What are signs of thyroid enlargement?
Increased size, symmetry changes, nodules, tenderness, bruits (in hypermetabolic state)
When does the anterior fontanel close?
Between 12 to 15 months of age
What is caput succedaneum?
Swelling of the scalp in a newborn from pressure during birth
What thyroid-related changes occur in pregnancy?
Fetal thyroid functions by 2nd trimester, mother needs more iodine (already in prenatal vitamin), slight enlargement normal
What thyroid changes are seen in older adults?
T4 production and degradation decrease, thyroid becomes more fibrotic
What does a thyroid bruit indicate?
Increased blood flow, often seen in hyperthyroidism
What are common head & neck abnormalities?
Headaches, salivary gland tumors, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, myxedema, Graves, Hashimoto’s
What congenital head/neck abnormalities can be seen in infants?
Hydrocephalus, plagiocephaly, microcephaly, craniosynostosis
What history should be obtained for thyroid problems?
Temp preference, swelling, swallowing issues, hair/skin/nail changes, mood, vision, heart rate, bowel changes
What is torticollis?
Shortening/contraction of sternocleidomastoid muscle
What is a thyroglossal duct cyst?
Palpable cystic mass in the neck. Presents with tenderness, redness, swelling in midline of neck with difficulty swallowing or breathing. Moves freely, upward with tongue protrusion and swallowing. May have superficial opening and drain mucus.
What is craniosynostosis?
Premature closure of cranial sutures before brain growth is complete
When does the posterior fontanel typically close?
By 2 months of age.
What thyroid change may be detected by ultrasound during pregnancy?
Slight thyroid enlargement.
What are potential causes of a stiff neck according to the HPI?
Neck strain/injury, head injury, swelling, fever, headache, meningitis.
What additional symptoms should be assessed with a stiff neck?
Character of the pain, predisposing factors, treatment attempts, and medication use.
What is plagiocephaly?
“flat head syndrome” condition where a baby’s head develops an asymmetrical, flattened shape, usually on one side
What is SSNOOP assessment and what is it used for?
Systemic symptoms, Secondary HA risk factors (HIV, Cancer), Neurologic symptoms (confusion, ALOC), Onset (sudden, abrupt, “split second” SAH, arterial dissection, or high ICP), Older (>50 new or progressive), Previous (change in frequency, severity, or new clinical features). Used to assess Headaches to identify potentially serious pathology.
What is encephalocele?
neural tube defect with protrusions of brain and meningies through openings in the skull. Looks like a visible sac of tissue protruding through the skull.
What is branchial cleft cyst?
congenital lesion formed by incomplete involution of the brachial cleft. Presents as painless mass in lateral neck, oval moderately moveable, nontender mass along anteriomedial border of sternocleidomastoid. Usually asymptomatic.
