Examining the NOSE

Procedure Normal Abnormal

findings findings
Inspect the nose note Same color as the face, Trauma, bleeding,
for: structure is smooth Lesions, masses, color
Trauma, bleeding, and symmetric differ from the face,
Lesions, masses, color, No tenderness swelling and
swelling and asymmetry
asymmetry, shape Nasal tenderness
Note patency of the Able to sniff through Cannot sniff nor blow
nostril each nostril while air
other is occluded
Inspect the internal Dark pink nasal Swollen, pale pink or
aspect using otoscope mucosa bluish gray
and nasal speculum Moist and free of Swollen, red
Inspect the mucosa exudates Discharges
Intact Polyps, tumor
No ulcerations or Irritation of the nasal
perforations septum
Bleeding
crusting
Assessing the SINUSES
Sinuses
– air filled cavities
- decreases the weight of the skull
- act as resonance chambers during speech

Procedure Normal findings Abnormal findings

Observe the face , No swelling around swelling around the nose
nose the eyes and nose and eyes

Palpate the nasal Non tender to Pain upon palpation

sinuses by pressing the palpation
thumbs
Palpate the maxillary Non tender to Tender to palpate
sinuses, palpation Crepitus is evident when
Frontal sinuses No crepitus there is exudate
Percuss the frontal Not tender on Tender upon percussion
sinuses, maxillary percussion if with allergies or sinus
sinuses infection
Resonance sound(flat and
dull)
Assessing the MOUTH and THROAT
 Procedure Normal findings Abnormal findings
Inspect the mouth, No foul smell Foul smell- oral or
and smell the breath Lips are smooth, respiratory
Observe the lips for moist, Fecal odor- bowel
color, moisture, Pink – light skinned obstruction
swelling, lesions, Bluish in some dark Fruity or acetone breath-
inflammation skinned DM patient(ketoacidosis)
Ammonia- kidney problems
Cracked/dry lips
Pale color around the lips
Bluish /cyanotic
Reddish
Swelling
Sores/ulcers around and
internal
Examine the internal Gums –pink, moist, Red, swollen, bleeding
using a tongue blade tight margins to the Receding gums
tooth

Assess the strength Offer a strong Decrease tongue strength

of the tongue resistance may be an indicator of
nerve damage
Observe the dentures Well fit Mal alignment
or orthodontics for fit Complete Incomplete
Does not interfere Painful
with eating
Count the upper and 32 pearly white Missing
lower teeth Smooth surfaces and Malformation
edges Painful
No decayed areas Decay
Malocclusion of teeth
Ask the client to tilt No swelling Swelling
head back, shine a Moist Reddish tonsils, big
light, place the The uvula moves exudates
tongue blade and ask when the client say Painful to swallow
to say ‘AH” to “ah” Tonsils- white patches
examine the throat Tonsils –pink and
and oropharynx symmetric Throat- bright red with
Observe the tonsils, Throat- normally pink exudates
position of the
tongue, uvula
Note for gag reflex Able to swallow Unable and pain upon
swallowing

Prepared by: Juliet V. Avena

 Table Top Evaluation – ¼ sheet of paper

Abnormalities of the Nose, Sinuses, Throat

1.