N3511W Health Assessment Spring 2026 Blueprint Exam-3 Health
Assessment The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston
Spring 2026 Blueprint Exam-3
The test consists of 50 questions, none of which pertain to the pediatric population or pregnant
women. A total of 60 minutes will be allowed for exams, with an additional 10 minutes for exam
review and backtracking.
Assessment of Head, Neck, Face, Mouth, Throat, Nose, Sinuses, Eyes and Ears
(approximately 20 Questions: Emphasize PPT, and lectures; and read textbook)
• Normal assessment of Temporal Arteries, Face, Jaw, Neck, Thyroid Gland, and
related abnormal findings
TEMPORAL ARTERY ASSESMENT: To assess the temporal artery, the nurse inspects and
palpate the artery located between the eye and the top of the ear, the nurse should gently palpate
for pulsation.
NORMAL FINDING: Smoot, elastic artery with a palpable pulse
ABNORMAL FINDING: A hard, thick, tender artery indicates temporal arteritis which is
significant because it can lead to blindness if untreated
FACE: inspect the face for symmetry and movement
KEY LANDMARKS:
NASOLABIAL FOLDS, PALPEBRAL FISSURESS
Normal: symmetrical features and equal movement
Abnormal: drooping, weakness, or asymmetry suggests cranial nerve VII dysfunction
JAW (TMJ temporomandibular joint): the nurse places fingers in front of the ears and ask the
patient to open and close the mouth.
Assess for:
Pain
clicking (crepitation)
range of motion
Normal: smooth movement without pain
Abnormal: pain or limited motion indicates TMJ disorder
NECK ASSESSMENT: inspection and palpation include:
symmetry
, range of motion
Lumps/swelling
lymph nodes
RED FLAG: nuchal rigidity+ headache + fever= meningitis
THYROID GLAND: PROCEDURE:
1. Inspect the neck while patient swallows
2. Palpate thyroid (posterior approach)
3. Ask patient to swallow water
, 4. Auscultate if enlarged
NORMAL FINDINGS:
Symmetrical
Moves upward with swallowing
Small, smooth
ABNORMAL FINDINGS:
Diffuse enlargement = hypothyroidism
Single nodule = possible malignancy
Tender = thyroiditis
Bruit = increased blood flow (hyperthyroidism)
• Facial Asymmetry: is assessed by observing facial expressions (smile, frown, puff
cheeks)
CN: VII damage:
drooping face
cannot close eye
Bell’s palsy (temporary)
PARKINSONS DISEASE:
Mask-like expression
Decreased movement
• Types and characteristics of headaches: assessing headaches ask:
onset
Location
Duration
Associated symptoms
Types: Migraine:
Prodrome (visual changes, tingling)
Severe, throbbing, one-sided
Cluster: Around eye/orbit
Meningitis: Headache + neck pain on flexion
Brain tumor: Morning headaches that improve after walking
• Examination of sinuses: Nurse palpates
Frontal sinuses (forehead)
Maxillary sinuses (cheeks)
NORMAL: no tenderness
ABNORMAL: Pain = sinus infection or allergy
• Tongue abnormalities:
Smooth, glossy = atrophic glossitis
Assessment The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston
Spring 2026 Blueprint Exam-3
The test consists of 50 questions, none of which pertain to the pediatric population or pregnant
women. A total of 60 minutes will be allowed for exams, with an additional 10 minutes for exam
review and backtracking.
Assessment of Head, Neck, Face, Mouth, Throat, Nose, Sinuses, Eyes and Ears
(approximately 20 Questions: Emphasize PPT, and lectures; and read textbook)
• Normal assessment of Temporal Arteries, Face, Jaw, Neck, Thyroid Gland, and
related abnormal findings
TEMPORAL ARTERY ASSESMENT: To assess the temporal artery, the nurse inspects and
palpate the artery located between the eye and the top of the ear, the nurse should gently palpate
for pulsation.
NORMAL FINDING: Smoot, elastic artery with a palpable pulse
ABNORMAL FINDING: A hard, thick, tender artery indicates temporal arteritis which is
significant because it can lead to blindness if untreated
FACE: inspect the face for symmetry and movement
KEY LANDMARKS:
NASOLABIAL FOLDS, PALPEBRAL FISSURESS
Normal: symmetrical features and equal movement
Abnormal: drooping, weakness, or asymmetry suggests cranial nerve VII dysfunction
JAW (TMJ temporomandibular joint): the nurse places fingers in front of the ears and ask the
patient to open and close the mouth.
Assess for:
Pain
clicking (crepitation)
range of motion
Normal: smooth movement without pain
Abnormal: pain or limited motion indicates TMJ disorder
NECK ASSESSMENT: inspection and palpation include:
symmetry
, range of motion
Lumps/swelling
lymph nodes
RED FLAG: nuchal rigidity+ headache + fever= meningitis
THYROID GLAND: PROCEDURE:
1. Inspect the neck while patient swallows
2. Palpate thyroid (posterior approach)
3. Ask patient to swallow water
, 4. Auscultate if enlarged
NORMAL FINDINGS:
Symmetrical
Moves upward with swallowing
Small, smooth
ABNORMAL FINDINGS:
Diffuse enlargement = hypothyroidism
Single nodule = possible malignancy
Tender = thyroiditis
Bruit = increased blood flow (hyperthyroidism)
• Facial Asymmetry: is assessed by observing facial expressions (smile, frown, puff
cheeks)
CN: VII damage:
drooping face
cannot close eye
Bell’s palsy (temporary)
PARKINSONS DISEASE:
Mask-like expression
Decreased movement
• Types and characteristics of headaches: assessing headaches ask:
onset
Location
Duration
Associated symptoms
Types: Migraine:
Prodrome (visual changes, tingling)
Severe, throbbing, one-sided
Cluster: Around eye/orbit
Meningitis: Headache + neck pain on flexion
Brain tumor: Morning headaches that improve after walking
• Examination of sinuses: Nurse palpates
Frontal sinuses (forehead)
Maxillary sinuses (cheeks)
NORMAL: no tenderness
ABNORMAL: Pain = sinus infection or allergy
• Tongue abnormalities:
Smooth, glossy = atrophic glossitis
