HEENT Flashcards

Question

Hypertensive Retinopathy

Answer 1

Eye damage from chronic high blood pressure. Stages: Mild: Narrowed arteries, copper/silver wiring, nicking Moderate: Hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots Severe: Same as above + papilledema

Answer 2

Swelling of the optic nerve due to increased pressure in the brain. Keywords: Increased intracranial pressure; Blurred optic disc margins; Emergency

Answer 3

Involuntary eye movement when looking far to the side—normal unless persistent. Keywords: Lateral gaze; Resolves at midline; Can be normal or brain lesion

Answer 4

Something blocks sound from reaching the inner ear. Causes: Earwax Otitis media (middle ear infection) Fluid in ear

Answer 5

Eye damage from long-term high blood pressure, showing narrowed arteries and hemorrhages. Keywords: Copper/silver wiring; AV nicking; Cotton-wool spots; Hemorrhages; Papilledema

Answer 6

Damage to the inner ear or nerve causes permanent hearing loss. Common with aging, drugs, or infections. Keywords: Inner ear; Presbycusis; Permanent hearing loss; Ototoxic drugs;

Answer 7

White patches on the side of the tongue in immunocompromised patients (like HIV). Can’t be scraped off. Keywords: HIV/AIDS; EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus); White patches lateral tongue; Cannot be scraped off

Answer 8

Tiny white/gray spots inside the cheeks, early sign of measles. Keywords: Pathognomonic for measles; Gray/white spots on buccal mucosa; Opposite molars

Answer 9

White or gray patches on the tongue or mouth, possibly a sign of early oral cancer. Risk increases with tobacco, alcohol, and HPV. Keywords: White patches; Cannot be scraped off; Tobacco, alcohol, HPV; Oral cancer risk; Refer for biopsy

Answer 10

These are small, painful ulcers inside the mouth (not on the lips). They look white or yellow and are surrounded by redness. They usually go away in 7–10 days. Cause: Unknown, but may be triggered by minor mouth trauma (e.g., biting your cheek), stress, or acidic foods. Treatment: Magic mouthwash (mix of lidocaine, Benadryl, Maalox, or steroids) OTC products like Orabase cream or paste

Answer 11

Soft, painless growths inside the nose that look like grapes. They can block airflow and cause stuffiness, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. Cause: Often due to allergies, chronic sinus infections, asthma, or cystic fibrosis. Treatment: Nasal steroids (sprays) Oral steroids for bigger or inflamed ones Surgery if severe or recurrent

Answer 12

Tuning fork on top of the head. Normal: Sound equal in both ears. Sensorineural: Sound heard in good ear. Conductive: Sound heard in bad ear (affected side).

Answer 13

Tuning fork beside ear and on bone behind ear. Normal: Air conduction (AC) > Bone conduction (BC) Sensorineural: AC > BC (but both reduced) Conductive: BC > AC

Answer 14

Eye disease in older adults that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Two types: Dry (atrophic) – More common, slower Wet (exudative) – Less common, but more severe and causes central vision loss Classic case: Elderly smoker with gradual or sudden central vision loss. Sees lines as wavy or bent. Treatment Plan: Dry AMD: ARES formula (antioxidants & vitamins) Wet AMD: Anti-VEGF injections or photodynamic therapy Refer to ophthalmologist

Answer 15

Sudden increase in eye pressure from blocked drainage of eye fluid. Classic case: Older patient with sudden severe eye pain, frontal headache, nausea, vomiting, and seeing halos around lights. Emergency.

Answer 16

Findings: Fixed, mid-dilated pupil (4–6 mm), cloudy cornea, conjunctival injection (redness), and shallow anterior chamber. Treatment: Refer to ED immediately

Answer 17

What it is: Inflammation inside the eye (uvea), causing eye pain, redness, and light sensitivity. Associated with: Autoimmune diseases like RA, lupus, sarcoidosis, syphilis. Treatment: Urgent referral to ophthalmology; may need steroids.

Answer 18

What it is: Chronic inflammation of the eyelid edges (where lashes grow), often with dandruff-like flakes. Symptoms: Red, itchy, burning eyes, crusting of lashes, “gritty” feeling. Treatment: Baby shampoo scrubs Warm compresses Antibiotic drops/ointment if needed Avoid irritants (smoke, contacts)

Answer 19

What it is: Painless lump on the eyelid (blocked meibomian gland). Classic case: “Bead-like” lump on upper eyelid, slow growing. Treatment: Warm compresses No antibiotics unless infected Refer if not resolving in 1–2 months

Answer 20

What it is: Scratch on the surface of the eye, usually from trauma or contact lenses. Symptoms: Sudden severe eye pain, tearing, redness, and sensation of something in the eye. Treatment: Antibiotic eye drops (e.g., ciprofloxacin) No eye patching Follow up in 24 hours

Answer 21

What it is: Herpes virus infects the cornea. Symptoms: Pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, red eye (often one-sided). Exam finding: Dendritic lesion (branching pattern) seen with fluorescein dye. Treatment: Antiviral eye drops (acyclovir or ganciclovir) Referral to eye specialist

Answer 22

What it is: A red, painful bump on the eyelid caused by a blocked oil gland or infected hair follicle. Classic case: Painful red lump near eyelashes; may have pus or crust. Treatment: Warm compresses 5–10 min, 2–4 times/day No antibiotics usually needed unless spreading Refer if swelling worsens or spreads (possible cellulitis)

Answer 23

What it is: Infection of the cornea, often related to contact lens use. Symptoms: Eye pain, blurred vision, redness, photophobia (light sensitivity), discharge. Cause: Bacteria, fungus, or virus from contact lenses or trauma. Treatment: Urgent referral to eye doctor Fluoroquinolone drops (e.g., ciprofloxacin) Stop contact lens use Pain control (e.g., acetaminophen or ketorolac if needed)

Answer 24

What it is: Chronic condition where the eye’s drainage is slow, causing high eye pressure over time and damage to the optic nerve. Classic case: Gradual, painless peripheral vision loss (side vision) in elderly or diabetics. Complications: 2nd leading cause of blindness in the world (after cataracts). Treatment: Refer if IOP > 30 mmHg Eye drops: Latanoprost (increases outflow) Timolol (reduces production) Refer to ophthalmologist

Answer 25

What it is: Yellow bump on the white part of the eye, does not grow over cornea. Cause: Chronic sun exposure Symptoms: Irritation or dryness, but not dangerous. Treatment: Lubricating drops Sunglasses for UV protection

Answer 26

What it is: Wedge-shaped tissue growth from the white part of the eye onto the cornea. Cause: UV exposure (sun), wind, dust – also called “surfer’s eye” Symptoms: Irritation, redness, may feel like something is in the eye Treatment: Lubricating drops Sunglasses Surgery if it grows and blocks vision

Answer 27

What it is: An autoimmune disorder that causes dry eyes and dry mouth for more than 3 months. It can occur alone or with another condition like RA. Classic case: Sandy or gritty eyes, trouble swallowing dry food, inflamed salivary glands. Treatment: OTC artificial tears (3x/day) Referral to eye doctor, rheumatologist, or dentist

Answer 28

What it is: A bright red spot on the white of the eye from broken blood vessels (often from coughing, sneezing, straining). Classic case: Sudden red patch in one eye after coughing or lifting. No pain or vision loss. Treatment: Reassurance only; resolves in 1–3 weeks No treatment unless trauma or bleeding disorder

Answer 29

Infection of the nasal passages and sinuses, often after a cold or allergies. Classic case: Facial pain, pressure over cheeks or forehead Nasal congestion for >10 days Postnasal drip, purulent nasal discharge Maxillary sinus = pain in upper molars Bacteria: Often S. pneumoniae, H. flu, M. catarrhalis Objective findings: Tenderness over sinuses Yellow-green nasal drip Transillumination: infected sinuses = dim or no glow Treatment: If mild: Symptom treatment only (no antibiotics; Fluids, rest, saline rinses If symptoms worsen or last >10 days: Consider antibiotics (not shown here, but usually amoxicillin-clavulanate)

Answer 30

First choice: Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) Penicillin allergy? Use doxycycline Or a cephalosporin (cefpodoxime or cefdinir)

HEENT Flashcards

EXAM (54 cards)