TOPIC 2 HEENT ASSESSMENT SHADOW
HEALTH COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
◉ What are the primary components of the HEENT system? Answer:
Head/neck, eyes, ears, nose/sinuses, mouth/throat
◉ What is the purpose of the HEENT assessment? Answer: To evaluate
sensory perception, speech, swallowing, airway protection, and immune
defense.
◉ What should be included in the preparation of the client for a HEENT
assessment? Answer: Ensure adequate lighting, privacy, comfort, and
address cultural considerations.
◉ What equipment is required for a HEENT assessment? Answer:
Penlight, gloves, tongue depressor, tuning fork, Snellen chart, vision
screener, gauze pad, centimeter ruler.
◉ What are key red flags to look for during a HEENT assessment?
Answer: Sudden vision loss, severe headache with stiff neck, acute
hearing loss, epistaxis unresponsive to pressure, oral lesions >2 weeks,
airway obstruction.
, ◉ What are the expected findings for the eyes during a HEENT
assessment? Answer: PERRLA (Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light
and Accommodation), clear conjunctiva, white sclera.
◉ What is presbyopia? Answer: A common condition in clients over 45
years characterized by difficulty focusing on near objects.
◉ What changes occur in the ears of older adults? Answer: Increased
prevalence of presbycusis and otosclerosis, elongated earlobes, and
coarse hair at the ear entrance.
◉ What are common pediatric considerations during a HEENT
assessment? Answer: Unclosed fontanelles and sutures, shorter/wider
Eustachian tubes increasing otitis media risk.
◉ What is the significance of cultural variations in HEENT
assessments? Answer: Cultural beliefs may affect practices such as
head-touching and perceptions of sensory changes.
◉ What is the recommended approach to document assessment
findings? Answer: Use objective anatomical terminology and include
symmetry, color, size, texture, movement, and patient-reported
symptoms.
◉ What is the purpose of the Romberg test? Answer: To assess balance
and equilibrium.
HEALTH COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
◉ What are the primary components of the HEENT system? Answer:
Head/neck, eyes, ears, nose/sinuses, mouth/throat
◉ What is the purpose of the HEENT assessment? Answer: To evaluate
sensory perception, speech, swallowing, airway protection, and immune
defense.
◉ What should be included in the preparation of the client for a HEENT
assessment? Answer: Ensure adequate lighting, privacy, comfort, and
address cultural considerations.
◉ What equipment is required for a HEENT assessment? Answer:
Penlight, gloves, tongue depressor, tuning fork, Snellen chart, vision
screener, gauze pad, centimeter ruler.
◉ What are key red flags to look for during a HEENT assessment?
Answer: Sudden vision loss, severe headache with stiff neck, acute
hearing loss, epistaxis unresponsive to pressure, oral lesions >2 weeks,
airway obstruction.
, ◉ What are the expected findings for the eyes during a HEENT
assessment? Answer: PERRLA (Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light
and Accommodation), clear conjunctiva, white sclera.
◉ What is presbyopia? Answer: A common condition in clients over 45
years characterized by difficulty focusing on near objects.
◉ What changes occur in the ears of older adults? Answer: Increased
prevalence of presbycusis and otosclerosis, elongated earlobes, and
coarse hair at the ear entrance.
◉ What are common pediatric considerations during a HEENT
assessment? Answer: Unclosed fontanelles and sutures, shorter/wider
Eustachian tubes increasing otitis media risk.
◉ What is the significance of cultural variations in HEENT
assessments? Answer: Cultural beliefs may affect practices such as
head-touching and perceptions of sensory changes.
◉ What is the recommended approach to document assessment
findings? Answer: Use objective anatomical terminology and include
symmetry, color, size, texture, movement, and patient-reported
symptoms.
◉ What is the purpose of the Romberg test? Answer: To assess balance
and equilibrium.
