ENT EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
how to use an otoscope on adults - ANSWER-Grasp auricle firmly, pull gently
upward/backward, and slightly abduct from head
Insert speculum gently (Pts. Left ear hold otoscope in your left hand, pts. Right ear
hold otoscope in your right hand using upright or inverted technique)
otoscope for children - ANSWER-Grasp auricle firmly, pull gently down/backward
Holding between thumb and fingers
Insert speculum gently
what should you inspect ear canal for - ANSWER-Discharge
Foreign body
Redness
Abrasion
Edema
what may cerumen look like - ANSWER-Yellow to flaky brown/sticky
Dark/hard
Can obstruct view of TM
where would you see the cone of light - ANSWER-Look for the cone of light (light
reflex below malleus just anterior to the umbo)
color of TM - ANSWER-Red/pale or pink/yellow, translucent
pink is normal
position of TM - ANSWER-normal/neutral, retracted/bulging
pneumatic otoscope - ANSWER-Insufflation is used to evaluate for mobility of the
ear drum
Used mainly in peds
abnormals of TM - ANSWER-TM red and bulging - OM
TM air fluid level - OM
TM retracted with areas of white/scarring - Tympanosclerosis
TM has vesicles - Bullous Myringitis
TM has hole - Perforation or post op PE tube removal
TM has a hole with a green or blue color then most likely a PE or ventilatory tube
vestibule of nose - ANSWER-most anterior part of nasal cavity.
Same epithelium as the skin and contains tiny hairs called vibrissae.
nasal cavity proper - ANSWER-respiratory epithelium
, external nose - ANSWER-Approximately upper 1/3 supported by bone, lower two
thirds, cartilage
UR tract functions - ANSWER-Filters, moistens & warms inhaled air before it
reaches lungs.
first line immune response
olfactory organ for odors
resonating cavity for voice
nose moistening job - ANSWER-Mucus membranes line nasal cavity and
humidification occurs by evaporation of moisture from the mucosal blanket. Air
humidified is increased to 75-80%.
nose temperature - ANSWER-Warms cold air to body temperature before it arrives in
lungs
Warmth results from contact between air and the rich blood supply of the nasal
membranes, especially in the inferior turbinate
Dry cold air in lungs makes secretions thick, slows the cilia, and slows the passage
of oxygen into the blood stream
when does rhinovirus replicate more readily - ANSWER-slightly cooler environment
of nasal cavity than in warmer lung
different colors of discharge - ANSWER-Discharge:
Thin & clear: allergies, URI
Thick: dryness in home, sinus or nasal infection
Color: clear that progresses to yellow or green
Unilateral: foreign body (child), deviated septum, polyp, carcinoma
tools required from nose exam - ANSWER-Otoscope or pen light
Nasal speculum (if available) or speculum on the otoscope
Coffee, mint, chocolate, vanilla in plastic vial to test smell (avoid caustic odors)
what do you need to clarify with virtigo? - ANSWER-Is the room spinning or
rotational?
Do you feel off balance?
Do you feel like you are tilting to one side?
what would vertigo symptoms primarily relate to - ANSWER-Ear labyrinths
Peripheral lesions of CN VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve or auditory vestibular nerve)
Lesions in the central pathway or brain
COMPLETE ANSWERS
how to use an otoscope on adults - ANSWER-Grasp auricle firmly, pull gently
upward/backward, and slightly abduct from head
Insert speculum gently (Pts. Left ear hold otoscope in your left hand, pts. Right ear
hold otoscope in your right hand using upright or inverted technique)
otoscope for children - ANSWER-Grasp auricle firmly, pull gently down/backward
Holding between thumb and fingers
Insert speculum gently
what should you inspect ear canal for - ANSWER-Discharge
Foreign body
Redness
Abrasion
Edema
what may cerumen look like - ANSWER-Yellow to flaky brown/sticky
Dark/hard
Can obstruct view of TM
where would you see the cone of light - ANSWER-Look for the cone of light (light
reflex below malleus just anterior to the umbo)
color of TM - ANSWER-Red/pale or pink/yellow, translucent
pink is normal
position of TM - ANSWER-normal/neutral, retracted/bulging
pneumatic otoscope - ANSWER-Insufflation is used to evaluate for mobility of the
ear drum
Used mainly in peds
abnormals of TM - ANSWER-TM red and bulging - OM
TM air fluid level - OM
TM retracted with areas of white/scarring - Tympanosclerosis
TM has vesicles - Bullous Myringitis
TM has hole - Perforation or post op PE tube removal
TM has a hole with a green or blue color then most likely a PE or ventilatory tube
vestibule of nose - ANSWER-most anterior part of nasal cavity.
Same epithelium as the skin and contains tiny hairs called vibrissae.
nasal cavity proper - ANSWER-respiratory epithelium
, external nose - ANSWER-Approximately upper 1/3 supported by bone, lower two
thirds, cartilage
UR tract functions - ANSWER-Filters, moistens & warms inhaled air before it
reaches lungs.
first line immune response
olfactory organ for odors
resonating cavity for voice
nose moistening job - ANSWER-Mucus membranes line nasal cavity and
humidification occurs by evaporation of moisture from the mucosal blanket. Air
humidified is increased to 75-80%.
nose temperature - ANSWER-Warms cold air to body temperature before it arrives in
lungs
Warmth results from contact between air and the rich blood supply of the nasal
membranes, especially in the inferior turbinate
Dry cold air in lungs makes secretions thick, slows the cilia, and slows the passage
of oxygen into the blood stream
when does rhinovirus replicate more readily - ANSWER-slightly cooler environment
of nasal cavity than in warmer lung
different colors of discharge - ANSWER-Discharge:
Thin & clear: allergies, URI
Thick: dryness in home, sinus or nasal infection
Color: clear that progresses to yellow or green
Unilateral: foreign body (child), deviated septum, polyp, carcinoma
tools required from nose exam - ANSWER-Otoscope or pen light
Nasal speculum (if available) or speculum on the otoscope
Coffee, mint, chocolate, vanilla in plastic vial to test smell (avoid caustic odors)
what do you need to clarify with virtigo? - ANSWER-Is the room spinning or
rotational?
Do you feel off balance?
Do you feel like you are tilting to one side?
what would vertigo symptoms primarily relate to - ANSWER-Ear labyrinths
Peripheral lesions of CN VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve or auditory vestibular nerve)
Lesions in the central pathway or brain
