NURS 5433 EENT PRACTICE EXAMINATION
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ Blepharitis patho.
Answer: -inflammation of the eyelid-nonulcerative causes: psoriasis
seborrhea, eczema, allergies, lice, trisomy 21, chemical or environmental
irritants, eye makeup, and contact lenses-ulcerative causes: lash follicle in
meibomian glands of eyelid, pustules at base of hair follicles that crust and
bleed, lashes become thick and break easily
◍ Epistaxis definition & anatomy.
Answer: -severe bleeding in nose, nasal cavity, nasopharynx-vascular part of
nasal cavity originates from ethmoid branches of the internal carotid arteries
in the facial and internal maxillary divisions of the external carotid
arteries-anterior or posterior (determines treatment)-posterior bleed:
referral-anterior: (most often) bleeding usually arises from the anastomosis
of the nasal septum (Kiesselbach's plexus)
◍ Epistaxis risk factors.
Answer: -epistaxis digitorum (nose picking)-blood dyscrasias/
coagulopathy-chronic/ acute sinus infections-allergic rhinitis or
URIs-uncontrolled HTN-hepatitis-alcohol abuse-blunt nose trauma-foreign
body
◍ Sinusitis definition & causes.
Answer: -inflammation one/more paranasal sinus -bacterial, viral, fungal
infection, allergic reaction-For any diagnosis of sinusitis illness must be
present at least 7-10 days -Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus
influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis
,◍ Otitis media differential diagnosis.
Answer: -otitis externa-tumors (cholesteatoma)-referred pain from jaw or
teeth (teething child)
◍ Anju presents with allergic conjuctivitis. The NP orders a mast cell
stabilizer . What education does the NP provide for ANJ
U. a. Benefits will take 2 or more weeks to become maximally effective b.
Benefits will take 7 days ti become maximally effective c. Maximum
benefits will become effective immediatelyd. With regular use recound
congestion is likely.
Answer: a. Benefits will take 2 or more weeks to become maximally
effective
◍ Corneal abrasion definition.
Answer: partial or complete defect in epithelial layer of the cells after
trauma or sun exposure
◍ Pharyngitis: Group A strep (GABHS).
Answer: -usually resolves within a few days w/o treatment; pearl: resolve
2-5 day w/ no treatment -treated to prevent complications (rheumatic fever
or glomerular nephritis) -rates of sinusitis & suppurative peritonsillar and
retropharyngeal abscesses are reduced by treatment of antibiotics-children
with Group A Strep can return to school 24 hours after antibiotic -pearl:
most important & treatable; non-suppurative complications: acute rheumatic
fever, acute glomuleronephritis
◍ Bacterial Sinusitis (differentiation) diagnosis & s/s.
Answer: -diagnosis: 7-10 days for any viral infection to resolve; symptoms
last beyond 7-10 days or worsen after 5 days suggest bacterial -Double
sickening (real true sign)= bacterial sinusitis (infection resolves, then few
days later become ill) -tender sinus w/ palpation, may have tooth pain, may
hurt when lean forward
◍ Dry eye risk factors.
Answer: -Acquired disorders: sjogren's syndrome (disorder of the immune
system that attacks its own healthy cells that produce saliva and tears),
, infection, and trauma-Bell's palsy damages the facial nerve and they cannot
close eyelid-Meds that cause decreased tear production: anticholinergics
such as antihistamines, beta-adrenergic blockers, and
oxybutynin-Menopausal women due to lack of estrogen-patient's who sit at
a computer for long due to decreased blink rates
◍ Pterygium s/s.
Answer: vascular rise lesion that extends from conjunctiva to nasal cornea
◍ diabetic retinopathy.
Answer: -uncontrolled DM; 3 stages-stage 1: background-stage 2:
preproliferative -stage 3: Proliferative-visual changes-fundoscopic exam:
microaneurysms, intra-retinal hemorrhage, macular edema, and lipid
deposits; Nerve fiber layer infarctions ("cotton wool spots"), venous beading
and dilation, edema, sometimes retinal hemorrhage
◍ Sinusitis management & pharm.
Answer: -Amoxicillin-clavulanate (first line): especially in high resistance
(d/t increase in M. Cat over step pneumonia infections; M. Cat & H. Flu
resistant to amoxicillin; M Cat resistant to penicillin)- Penicillin (PCN)
allergy but has not had anaphylactic reaction: third generation
cephalosporins-doxycycline, levaquin, or moxifloxacin-Macrolides no
longer b/c resistance -decongestants: PO better than topical for symptomatic
relief-Nasal sprays (ex. Afrin): no longer than 3 days -Intranasal steroids
-short course PO steroids w/ antibiotics (need to give together) -saline
irrigations (ex.Neti Pots)-Referral otolaryngologist: 3-4 infections/yr or
infection that does not respond 2-3wk antibiotics or if nasal polyps -possible
to develop periorbital cellulitis: medical emergency & referral
◍ macular degeneration diagnostics.
Answer: -pinhole test (vision less than 20/20): vision corrects is uncorrected
refractive error. -Fundoscopic exam: normal w/ refractive error
◍ Allergic Conjunctivitis treatment.
Answer: decongestant antihistamine drops (Naphocon-A, vasocon-A), mast
cell stabilizers (palatal or optivar)
, ◍ Hearing loss follow up.
Answer: -depends on etiology and severity of loss-ENT referral-genetic
counseling and testing
◍ Pharyngitis: Modified Centor Criteria for strep testing.
Answer: -determine whether treat empirically, or rapid Strep test, or no
treatment -4 criteria (1pt per each positive criteria)history of fever:
1pttonsillar exudates: 1pttender anterior cervical adenopathy: 1ptage less
than 15: 1pt age 15-45: 0 ptsage above 45: -1ptcough: -1pt (rarely strep w/
cough present)Results: 3-4pts= treat empirically; 2pts= rapid strep test, treat
if positive; 1pt= unlikely strep; 0 or negative point= no treat -pearl: consider
screening for score above 2; screen adults w/ score greater than/equal to 3
w/ RADT (high risk for infection throat culture if negative RADT)
◍ Strabismus s/s & diagnostics.
Answer: -double vision, eye crossing or drifting, loss of depth perception,
visual loss, abnormal visual acuity, abnormal fixation or alignment, inability
to focus on an object, head tilt or squint, nystagmus (involuntary eye
movement)-esotropia (eye drifts inward), exotropia (drifts outward),
hypertropia (drifts upward), hypotropia, (drifts downward)-displaced
corneal light reflex, abnormal cover/uncover test -perform complete ocular
exam-CT or MRI (suspected tumor)
◍ Conjunctivitis.
Answer: -inflammation of the conjunctiva (front part of the eye) -s/s: red,
sometimes itchy, sometimes exudates (r/t bacterial) Pearl: differentiation
bacterial vs viral
◍ Macular degeneration s/s.
Answer: yellow spots or drusen spots (in clumps of pigment and irregularly
interspaced)
◍ Glaucoma definitions & causes.
Answer: -progressive damage to optic nerve-> atrophy and blindness pearl-
optic neuropathy; second leading cause blindness (after cataracts)-elevated
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ Blepharitis patho.
Answer: -inflammation of the eyelid-nonulcerative causes: psoriasis
seborrhea, eczema, allergies, lice, trisomy 21, chemical or environmental
irritants, eye makeup, and contact lenses-ulcerative causes: lash follicle in
meibomian glands of eyelid, pustules at base of hair follicles that crust and
bleed, lashes become thick and break easily
◍ Epistaxis definition & anatomy.
Answer: -severe bleeding in nose, nasal cavity, nasopharynx-vascular part of
nasal cavity originates from ethmoid branches of the internal carotid arteries
in the facial and internal maxillary divisions of the external carotid
arteries-anterior or posterior (determines treatment)-posterior bleed:
referral-anterior: (most often) bleeding usually arises from the anastomosis
of the nasal septum (Kiesselbach's plexus)
◍ Epistaxis risk factors.
Answer: -epistaxis digitorum (nose picking)-blood dyscrasias/
coagulopathy-chronic/ acute sinus infections-allergic rhinitis or
URIs-uncontrolled HTN-hepatitis-alcohol abuse-blunt nose trauma-foreign
body
◍ Sinusitis definition & causes.
Answer: -inflammation one/more paranasal sinus -bacterial, viral, fungal
infection, allergic reaction-For any diagnosis of sinusitis illness must be
present at least 7-10 days -Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus
influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis
,◍ Otitis media differential diagnosis.
Answer: -otitis externa-tumors (cholesteatoma)-referred pain from jaw or
teeth (teething child)
◍ Anju presents with allergic conjuctivitis. The NP orders a mast cell
stabilizer . What education does the NP provide for ANJ
U. a. Benefits will take 2 or more weeks to become maximally effective b.
Benefits will take 7 days ti become maximally effective c. Maximum
benefits will become effective immediatelyd. With regular use recound
congestion is likely.
Answer: a. Benefits will take 2 or more weeks to become maximally
effective
◍ Corneal abrasion definition.
Answer: partial or complete defect in epithelial layer of the cells after
trauma or sun exposure
◍ Pharyngitis: Group A strep (GABHS).
Answer: -usually resolves within a few days w/o treatment; pearl: resolve
2-5 day w/ no treatment -treated to prevent complications (rheumatic fever
or glomerular nephritis) -rates of sinusitis & suppurative peritonsillar and
retropharyngeal abscesses are reduced by treatment of antibiotics-children
with Group A Strep can return to school 24 hours after antibiotic -pearl:
most important & treatable; non-suppurative complications: acute rheumatic
fever, acute glomuleronephritis
◍ Bacterial Sinusitis (differentiation) diagnosis & s/s.
Answer: -diagnosis: 7-10 days for any viral infection to resolve; symptoms
last beyond 7-10 days or worsen after 5 days suggest bacterial -Double
sickening (real true sign)= bacterial sinusitis (infection resolves, then few
days later become ill) -tender sinus w/ palpation, may have tooth pain, may
hurt when lean forward
◍ Dry eye risk factors.
Answer: -Acquired disorders: sjogren's syndrome (disorder of the immune
system that attacks its own healthy cells that produce saliva and tears),
, infection, and trauma-Bell's palsy damages the facial nerve and they cannot
close eyelid-Meds that cause decreased tear production: anticholinergics
such as antihistamines, beta-adrenergic blockers, and
oxybutynin-Menopausal women due to lack of estrogen-patient's who sit at
a computer for long due to decreased blink rates
◍ Pterygium s/s.
Answer: vascular rise lesion that extends from conjunctiva to nasal cornea
◍ diabetic retinopathy.
Answer: -uncontrolled DM; 3 stages-stage 1: background-stage 2:
preproliferative -stage 3: Proliferative-visual changes-fundoscopic exam:
microaneurysms, intra-retinal hemorrhage, macular edema, and lipid
deposits; Nerve fiber layer infarctions ("cotton wool spots"), venous beading
and dilation, edema, sometimes retinal hemorrhage
◍ Sinusitis management & pharm.
Answer: -Amoxicillin-clavulanate (first line): especially in high resistance
(d/t increase in M. Cat over step pneumonia infections; M. Cat & H. Flu
resistant to amoxicillin; M Cat resistant to penicillin)- Penicillin (PCN)
allergy but has not had anaphylactic reaction: third generation
cephalosporins-doxycycline, levaquin, or moxifloxacin-Macrolides no
longer b/c resistance -decongestants: PO better than topical for symptomatic
relief-Nasal sprays (ex. Afrin): no longer than 3 days -Intranasal steroids
-short course PO steroids w/ antibiotics (need to give together) -saline
irrigations (ex.Neti Pots)-Referral otolaryngologist: 3-4 infections/yr or
infection that does not respond 2-3wk antibiotics or if nasal polyps -possible
to develop periorbital cellulitis: medical emergency & referral
◍ macular degeneration diagnostics.
Answer: -pinhole test (vision less than 20/20): vision corrects is uncorrected
refractive error. -Fundoscopic exam: normal w/ refractive error
◍ Allergic Conjunctivitis treatment.
Answer: decongestant antihistamine drops (Naphocon-A, vasocon-A), mast
cell stabilizers (palatal or optivar)
, ◍ Hearing loss follow up.
Answer: -depends on etiology and severity of loss-ENT referral-genetic
counseling and testing
◍ Pharyngitis: Modified Centor Criteria for strep testing.
Answer: -determine whether treat empirically, or rapid Strep test, or no
treatment -4 criteria (1pt per each positive criteria)history of fever:
1pttonsillar exudates: 1pttender anterior cervical adenopathy: 1ptage less
than 15: 1pt age 15-45: 0 ptsage above 45: -1ptcough: -1pt (rarely strep w/
cough present)Results: 3-4pts= treat empirically; 2pts= rapid strep test, treat
if positive; 1pt= unlikely strep; 0 or negative point= no treat -pearl: consider
screening for score above 2; screen adults w/ score greater than/equal to 3
w/ RADT (high risk for infection throat culture if negative RADT)
◍ Strabismus s/s & diagnostics.
Answer: -double vision, eye crossing or drifting, loss of depth perception,
visual loss, abnormal visual acuity, abnormal fixation or alignment, inability
to focus on an object, head tilt or squint, nystagmus (involuntary eye
movement)-esotropia (eye drifts inward), exotropia (drifts outward),
hypertropia (drifts upward), hypotropia, (drifts downward)-displaced
corneal light reflex, abnormal cover/uncover test -perform complete ocular
exam-CT or MRI (suspected tumor)
◍ Conjunctivitis.
Answer: -inflammation of the conjunctiva (front part of the eye) -s/s: red,
sometimes itchy, sometimes exudates (r/t bacterial) Pearl: differentiation
bacterial vs viral
◍ Macular degeneration s/s.
Answer: yellow spots or drusen spots (in clumps of pigment and irregularly
interspaced)
◍ Glaucoma definitions & causes.
Answer: -progressive damage to optic nerve-> atrophy and blindness pearl-
optic neuropathy; second leading cause blindness (after cataracts)-elevated
