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Assessing Nose and Sinuses

This document discusses assessing the nose and sinuses. It outlines the internal and external anatomy of the nose, its functions, and how to assess the nose and sinuses. The assessment includes inquiring about medical history, inspecting the external nose and nasal cavities, examining the nasal septum and turbinates, palpating the sinuses, and considering age-related factors. The goal is to check for any issues like redness, swelling, or discharge and determine if air moves freely through the nasal passages.

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malyn1218
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219 views12 pages

Assessing Nose and Sinuses

This document discusses assessing the nose and sinuses. It outlines the internal and external anatomy of the nose, its functions, and how to assess the nose and sinuses. The assessment includes inquiring about medical history, inspecting the external nose and nasal cavities, examining the nasal septum and turbinates, palpating the sinuses, and considering age-related factors. The goal is to check for any issues like redness, swelling, or discharge and determine if air moves freely through the nasal passages.

Uploaded by

malyn1218
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Assessing Nose and Sinuses

Anatomy of the Nose


• External
Structures
– Bridge
– Tip
– Nostrils
– Vestibule
Anatomy of the Nose
• Internal
Structures
– Mucous
Membranes
– Hard Palate, Soft
Palate
– Turbinates
Septum
– Posterior Pharynx
– Opening of
Eustachian Tube
Nose and Sinuses
• Functions:
– Identification of Odors
– Air Passage
– Humidification, Warming, and Filtering
Air
– Resonance of Speech
– Drainage of Sinuses
Assessing the Nose and
Sinuses
• Inquire if the client has any history of
the following:
• Allergies
• Difficulty of breathing through the nose
• Sinus infections
• Injuries to nose or face
• Nosebleeds
• Medications taken
• Changes in the sense of smell
Assessing the nose
• Inspect the
external nose
for any
deviations in
shape, size, or
color and
flaring or
discharge from
the nares
• Lightly palpate
the external
Assessing the nose
• Determine the
patency of both
nasal cavities

Air moves freely as the


client breathes through the
nares
Assessing the Nose
• Inspect the nasal
cavities using a
flashlight or a
nasal speculum

 Observe for the


presence of redness,
swelling, growths and
discharge
Assessing the Nose

• Inspect the
nasal septum
between the
nasal
chambers
Assessing Facial Sinuses

Sinuses:
• Frontal
• Ethmoid
•Sphenoid
• Maxillary
Assessing Facial Sinuses
• Palpate the maxillary
and frontal sinuses for
tenderness

Assessing the Maxillary


Sinuses

Assessing Frontal Sinuses


Lifespan Considerations
• Infants:
• A speculum is usually not necessary to examine the
septum, turbinates, and septum
 Children
• A speculum is not necessary, it might cause the child to
be apprehensive
• Cough and runny nose are the most common signs of
sinusitis in preadolescent children
 Elders
• The sense of smell Markedly diminishes
• Nosebleeds may result from hypertensive diseases or
other arterial vessel changes

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