Nose, Mouth & Throat Flashcards
the superior part (nasal bone)
Bridge
the anterior part of nose (cartilage)
Tip
filter coarse matter from entering nasal cavity
Hair
filters dust and bacteria. The rich blood supply warms and humidifies the air
Ciliated mucous membrane
increase the surface are of the nasal cavity so that more air is filtered, warmed, and humidified
Turbinates (conchae)
Present at birth
Ethmoid and maxillary sinuses
develop
between 7 and 8 years
Frontal
develop after puberty
Sphenoid
nose is symmetric, midline, proportional
Normal external nose
nasal mucosa pink, smooth, and moist
Normal findings nasal cavity
Abnormal findings of nasal cavity
note any bleeding, swelling, redness, discharge, foreign body
Rhinitis – mucosa swollen, red, and often includes discharge (watery,
thick, purulent, green) in upper resp infection
(benign growths) – smooth, gray, avascular, mobile, nontender
Polyps
Midline placement. Shape symmetrical and consistent with age, gender, and
race/ethnic group.
No nasal flaring.
No drainage.
Normal findings
Misalignment of nose or shape inconsistent with patient’s biographical information
Nasal flaring
Clear, bilateral drainage
Clear, unilateral drainage
Clear, mucoid drainage
Yellow or green drainage
Bloody drainage
Abnormal findings of external nose
Trauma, hypertension, or bleeding disorders.
Bloody drainage
Upper respiratory infection.
Yellow or green drainage
Viral rhinitis
Clear, mucoid drainage
May be spinal fluid as a result of head trauma or fracture
Clear, unilateral drainage
Allergic rhinitis
Clear, bilateral drainage
Suggests respiratory distress, especially in infants, who are obligatory nose breathers
Nasal flaring
Previous trauma, congenital deformity, surgical alteration, or mass. Abnormal shape also associated with typical facies, including acromegaly or Down syndrome.
Misalignment of nose or shape inconsistent with patient’s biographical information
• Have the patient occlude one nostril with a finger.
• Ask the patient to breath in and out through the nose as you observe and listen for air
movement in and out of the nostril.
• Repeat on the other side.
Procedure (PATENCY)
Internal Inspection
a. Position the patient with the head in an extended position
b. Place the non dominant hand firmly on the top of the patient’s head
c. Using the thumb of the same hand, lift the tip of the patient’s nose.
d. Gently insert the nasal speculum.
e. Assess each nostril separately
f. Observe for: COLOR, DISCHARGE, SWELLING, DRAINAGE, LESIONS, POLYPS
Normal findings of internal nose
■ Pink, variations consistent with ethnic group/race and with oral mucosa.
■ Moist, with only clear, scant mucus present.
■ Intact, with no lesions or perforations.
■ No crusting or polyps.
■ Septum located midline.