C. Burke, JD, PA-C
,Epistaxis
´ Essentials of Diagnosis
´Bleeding from the unilateral anterior nasal cavity most
commonly
´Most cases may be successfully treated by direct
pressure on the bleeding site for 15 minutes
´When this is inadequate, topical sympathomimetics
and various nasal tamponade methods are usually
effective.
´Posterior, bilateral or large-volume epistaxis should be
triaged immediately to a specialist in a critical care
setting
, General Considerations
´ Extremely common problem in the primary care setting
´ Most common in the anterior septum where a
confluence of veins creates a superficial venous plexus
(Kiesselbach Plexus)
´ Predisposing factors
´ Nasal Trauma
´Nose picking, foreign bodies, forceful nose blowing
´ Rhinitis
´ Drying of the nasal mucosa from low humidity or
supplemental nasal oxygen