Lymph Node Assessment Flashcards
(47 cards)
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are small structures that work as filters for foreign substances, such as cancer cells and infections. They contain immune cells that can help fight infection by attacking and destroying germs that are carried in through the lymph fluid.
What are the general things we do before starting a head and neck lymph node assessment?
Introduce yourself, explain the procedure and gain consent, preform hand hygiene, and position patient.
How do we position a patient for a lymph node assessment?
Relaxed neck, sitting upright with head neutral.
What is involved in a lymph node assessment?
Inspection, palpation, and conclusion.
What is involved in inspection of the lymph nodes?
Inspect the patients head position, symmetry, size, shape, and accessory neck muscles.
What’s involved in palpation of the lymph nodes?
Use the pads of the middle two or three fingers to gently palpate each lymph node location using a circular motion. There are 9 locations that can be located and palpated in any order.
What are the 9 lymph node locations?
Occipital, post auricular, pre auricular, jugulodigastric aka tonsillar, submandibular x 2, submental, superficial, posterior cervical, deep cervical chains, and supraclavicular.
What causes swelling for the occipital lymph nodes?
Bacterial infections, psoriasis, and ringworm can cause swelling of the occipital lymph nodes. A variety of skin infections can affect the scalp, which can cause the occipital lymph nodes to swell
Where is the occipital lymph node located?
Occipital lymph nodes are those found on the back of your head, near the base of your skull
What causes swelling for the post auricular lymph nodes?
Most commonly ear infections
What causes swelling for the pre auricular lymph nodes?
Most commonly ear infections
Where is the pre auricular lymph node located?
Just in front of the ear
What causes swelling for the Tonsillar/Jugulodigastric lymph nodes?
They usually swell secondary to common viral infections
Where is the Tonsillar/Jugulodigastric lymph node located?
Just under the ear
What causes swelling for the Posterior cervical lymph nodes?
general infections
What causes swelling for the Posterior cervical lymph nodes?
General infections
Where is the posterior cervical lymph node located?
Located behind the SCM muscle.
What does SCM stand for?
sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle
What is the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle?
Sternocleidomastoid is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck
What causes swelling to the deep cervical chain?
General infections, injurys, or cancer
Where can you locate the deep cervical chain?
The deep cervical lymph nodes are contained in the carotid sheath in the neck, close to the internal jugular vein
What causes swelling of the supraclavicular lymph nodes?
These generally suggest cancer or an infection in the region close by. Examples include lung infection, lung cancer, lymphoma in the chest cavity, or breast cancer.
Where are the supraclavicular lymph nodes located?
Each side of the body in the hollow superior to the clavicle
What causes swelling of the superficial cervical lymph nodes?
General infections, injury, or cancer
