Assessment of Nose, Mouth, and Throat Structures
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fynj1h
1. Objectives - Review principles related to the skills listed below:
•Practice assessment skills while maintaining patient pri-
vacy, confidentiality, and safety.
•Assess the nose, mouth and throat of a client according
to provided guidelines.
•Identify the structure & function of nose, mouth, and
oropharynx.
•Describe techniques and essential components of an
assessment of the mouth, nose and throat.
•Discuss the relationship of cranial nerves relating to the
structure and function of the mouth, nose and throat.
•Differentiate normal from abnormal findings on exam of
the nose, mouth, and throat.
•Know key terms in assigned reading.
2. External Nose •Inspect the external nose for position, symmetry, devia-
tions, and flaring
•Palpate for tenderness, masses, or displacement
•Inspect the nasal mucosa and status of the nasal septum
-The external nose should be midline on the face and
fairly symmetrical, there should be no deviations or nasal
flaring.
-Nasal mucosa should be pink and cilia (nasal hair like
structures) should be present
-Surface characteristics/skin - should be smooth, w/o
swelling, Depression may suggest fx nose, transverse
crease (allergic salute)=allergies
-Nares discharge, describe (watery, mucoid, purulent,
crusty or bloody - color, amount if unilateral or bilateral.
Bloody= is it caused by trauma or epistaxis, mucus caused
by rhinitis, bilateral and purulent=URI, unilateral, thick mal-
odorous=foreign body.
-Flaring = sign of resp. distress. Chronic nasal obstruction
and mouth breathing=narrowing of nares on inspiration
3. External Nose: •Inspect the external nose for position, symmetry, devia-
Inspection and tions, and flaring
Palpation •Palpate for tenderness, masses, or displacement
•Inspect the nasal mucosa and status of the nasal septum
, Assessment of Nose, Mouth, and Throat Structures
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fynj1h
4. External Nose: -should be midline on the face and fairly symmetrical,
Shape there should be no deviations or nasal flaring.
5. External Nose: -should be pink and cilia (nasal hair like structures) should
Nasal Mucosa be present
6. External Nose: -should be smooth, w/o swelling, Depression may suggest
Surface Charac- fx (fractured) nose, transverse crease (allergic salute)=al-
teristics/Skin lergies
7. External Nose: -describe (watery, mucoid, purulent, crusty or bloody -
Nares Discharge color, amount if unilateral or bilateral.
- Bloody= is it caused by trauma or epistaxis, mucus
caused by rhinitis, bilateral and purulent=URI, unilateral,
thick malodorous=foreign body.
8. External Nose: -sign of resp. distress.
Flaring - Chronic nasal obstruction and mouth breathing=narrow-
ing of nares on inspiration
9. External Nose: Palpate the bridge of the nose inspecting for:
Palpation •Masses
•Deviation
•Tenderness
•Stability
The nose should feel firm and stable without masses or
tenderness.
10. External Nose: - Start at the bridge of the nose with one finger on each
Palpation Tech- side.
nique - Slowly palpate to the tip of the nose noting any masses,
tenderness, or lack of stability.
11. Nasal Patency Ability to breathe freely through nostrils.
12. To Test Patency •Ask patient to close their mouth.
of Nasal Cavities •Occlude one nare and have patient breathe through op-
posite side.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fynj1h
1. Objectives - Review principles related to the skills listed below:
•Practice assessment skills while maintaining patient pri-
vacy, confidentiality, and safety.
•Assess the nose, mouth and throat of a client according
to provided guidelines.
•Identify the structure & function of nose, mouth, and
oropharynx.
•Describe techniques and essential components of an
assessment of the mouth, nose and throat.
•Discuss the relationship of cranial nerves relating to the
structure and function of the mouth, nose and throat.
•Differentiate normal from abnormal findings on exam of
the nose, mouth, and throat.
•Know key terms in assigned reading.
2. External Nose •Inspect the external nose for position, symmetry, devia-
tions, and flaring
•Palpate for tenderness, masses, or displacement
•Inspect the nasal mucosa and status of the nasal septum
-The external nose should be midline on the face and
fairly symmetrical, there should be no deviations or nasal
flaring.
-Nasal mucosa should be pink and cilia (nasal hair like
structures) should be present
-Surface characteristics/skin - should be smooth, w/o
swelling, Depression may suggest fx nose, transverse
crease (allergic salute)=allergies
-Nares discharge, describe (watery, mucoid, purulent,
crusty or bloody - color, amount if unilateral or bilateral.
Bloody= is it caused by trauma or epistaxis, mucus caused
by rhinitis, bilateral and purulent=URI, unilateral, thick mal-
odorous=foreign body.
-Flaring = sign of resp. distress. Chronic nasal obstruction
and mouth breathing=narrowing of nares on inspiration
3. External Nose: •Inspect the external nose for position, symmetry, devia-
Inspection and tions, and flaring
Palpation •Palpate for tenderness, masses, or displacement
•Inspect the nasal mucosa and status of the nasal septum
, Assessment of Nose, Mouth, and Throat Structures
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fynj1h
4. External Nose: -should be midline on the face and fairly symmetrical,
Shape there should be no deviations or nasal flaring.
5. External Nose: -should be pink and cilia (nasal hair like structures) should
Nasal Mucosa be present
6. External Nose: -should be smooth, w/o swelling, Depression may suggest
Surface Charac- fx (fractured) nose, transverse crease (allergic salute)=al-
teristics/Skin lergies
7. External Nose: -describe (watery, mucoid, purulent, crusty or bloody -
Nares Discharge color, amount if unilateral or bilateral.
- Bloody= is it caused by trauma or epistaxis, mucus
caused by rhinitis, bilateral and purulent=URI, unilateral,
thick malodorous=foreign body.
8. External Nose: -sign of resp. distress.
Flaring - Chronic nasal obstruction and mouth breathing=narrow-
ing of nares on inspiration
9. External Nose: Palpate the bridge of the nose inspecting for:
Palpation •Masses
•Deviation
•Tenderness
•Stability
The nose should feel firm and stable without masses or
tenderness.
10. External Nose: - Start at the bridge of the nose with one finger on each
Palpation Tech- side.
nique - Slowly palpate to the tip of the nose noting any masses,
tenderness, or lack of stability.
11. Nasal Patency Ability to breathe freely through nostrils.
12. To Test Patency •Ask patient to close their mouth.
of Nasal Cavities •Occlude one nare and have patient breathe through op-
posite side.
