Head and Neck Assessment Review

Study Notes

Equipment Preparation: Prepare necessary equipment.
Patient Preparation: Explain the procedure to the patient.
Cranial Assessment: Inspect and palpate the skull for size, shape, and temporal region.
Facial Assessment: Examine the face and facial structures.
Eye Assessment: Examine external eye structures (eyes, eyebrows).
Ear Assessment: Examine external ear for size, shape, skin condition, tenderness, and hearing acuity (whispered voice test).
Nasal Assessment: Examine the external nose, test patency of nostrils, and assess the olfactory nerve.
Sinus Palpation: Palpate sinus regions.
Oral Assessment: Examine the mouth.
Neck Assessment: Palpate the neck for symmetry, range of motion (ROM), lymph nodes, trachea, thyroid gland, and external jugular veins.
Documentation: Document assessment findings.

Skin Inspection: Observe general skin appearance and color changes.
Lesion Examination: Inspect and palpate lesions for warning signs (ABCDEs: asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter >6mm, elevation/ enlargement).
Skin Temperature: Palpate skin with the back of the hand for general and localized warmth/coolness.
Skin Moisture: Palpate skin for dryness or moisture (e.g., skin folds, dryness).
Edema Examination: Palpate for swelling and texture changes.
Pressure Ulcer Examination: Assess pressure ulcers for length, color, depth, and discharge.
Capillary Refill: Assess capillary refill time (nail bed blanching and return time <2 seconds).
Nail Examination: Inspect nails for shape, margin, and color.
Hair Examination: Examine hair for color, texture, and distribution.
Abnormal Reporting: Report unusual findings.

Hand Hygiene: Perform hand hygiene.
Equipment Preparation: Prepare necessary equipment.
Patient Preparation: Explain the procedure to the patient.
Environmental Setup: Prepare the room (close doors, windows, curtains).
Respiratory Rate and Pattern: Assess rate, rhythm, depth, and symmetry of chest movements.
Chest Inspection: Observe chest for size, shape, deformities, and accessory muscle use.
Chest Palpation: Palpate the anterior, posterior, and lateral chest for tenderness or masses.
Chest Percussion: Percuss the chest to assess for underlying air/fluid sounds using hands only (avoid using bony areas).
Chest Excursion: Assess chest expansion and symmetry.
Documentation: Document assessment findings.
Additional Chest Percussion (Advanced): Percuss in all areas (anterior, posterior, and lateral) to compare sides (right to left).
Diaphragmatic Excursion: Assess diaphragmatic excursion. This involves noting the change in the percussion note during deep inhalation and exhalation using a specific technique..

Hand Hygiene and Equipment Preparation: Perform hand hygiene and prepare equipment.
Patient Preparation: Explain the procedure to the patient.
Room Setup: Prepare the room (close doors, windows, curtains).
Respiratory Assessment: Assess rate, rhythm, depth, and symmetry of respiratory movements.
Chest Inspection: Observe chest for size, shape, deformities, and accessory muscle use.
Chest Palpation and Percussion: Palpate and percuss the chest for tenderness, masses, and underlying sounds. This includes comparing right and left sides.
Diaphragmatic Percussion (Advanced): Assess for diaphragmatic excursion and differences in percussion notes during full inhalation and exhalation.
Auscultation (Advanced): Listen from different angles using a stethoscope.
Documentation: Record all observations.