Health Week 3 Notes on Eyes and Ears PDF

***Week 3 notes: Eyes and Ears Assessment*** ***Chapters 15 & 16*** Learning outcomes: Answers 1. Review external and internal features of the eye and its functions a. **External anatomy**: Includes the eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal apparatus, extraocular muscles, sclera, and corn...

***Week 3 notes: Eyes and Ears Assessment*** ***Chapters 15 & 16*** Learning outcomes: Answers 1. Review external and internal features of the eye and its functions a. **External anatomy**: Includes the eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal apparatus, extraocular muscles, sclera, and cornea. Eyelids protect the eye, and the lacrimal apparatus ensures constant lubrication​​. b. **Internal anatomy**: The eye has three layers: i. **Outer layer**: Sclera and cornea. ii. **Middle layer**: Choroid, ciliary body, and iris for light regulation. iii. **Inner layer**: Retina, containing light-sensitive cells​ 2. Outline key history questions related to the eye assessment c. Ask about vision difficulties, pain, redness, swelling, discharge, history of ocular problems, glaucoma, use of corrective lenses, and self-care behaviors​ 3. Examine and initiate the assessment of the eyes including the tests for central visual acuity, visual fields, extraocular muscle function, external ocular structures, anterior eyeball structures and inspection of the ocular fundus d. Tests for central visual acuity: Use the Snellen eye chart. e. Visual fields: Perform a confrontation test. f. Extraocular muscle function: Conduct the corneal light reflex, cover-uncover, and diagnostic positions tests. g. External structures: Inspect eyelids, lashes, conjunctiva, and sclera. h. Anterior eyeball structures: Evaluate the cornea, lens, iris, and pupil for reflex and accommodation. i. Ocular fundus: Examine the optic disc, retinal vessels, and macula using an ophthalmoscope 4. Identify the cranial nerves associated with the eye assessment j. Cranial nerve II (Optic): Vision. k. Cranial nerve III (Oculomotor): Eyelid movement, pupil constriction, and most extraocular movements. l. Cranial nerve IV (Trochlear): Downward and inward eye movement. m. Cranial nerve VI (Abducens): Lateral eye movement 5. Identify age related changes to the eye. n. Infants: Peripheral vision intact at birth; macula develops fully by 8 months. o. Older adults: Lens loses elasticity (presbyopia), cataract formation, macular degeneration, and decreased tear production. 6. Review the anatomical landmarks of the external and internal ear p. External ear: Auricle, external auditory canal. q. Middle ear: Tympanic membrane, ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes), Eustachian tube. r. Inner ear: Vestibule, semicircular canals, cochlea. 7. Differentiate among the types of hearing loss (conductive versus sensorineural) s. Conductive: Blockage in the external or middle ear (e.g., impacted wax, otitis media). t. Sensorineural: Damage to the inner ear or cranial nerve VIII (e.g., aging, noise exposure. 8. Outline key history questions related to the ear assessment u. Inquire about hearing loss, pain, discharge, tinnitus, vertigo, infections, and exposure to noise 9. Explain and apply the ear assessment including the external ear, use of otoscope, and testing for hearing acuity. v. External ear: Inspect for size, shape, and lesions; palpate for tenderness. w. Otoscope use: Examine the tympanic membrane and ear canal for abnormalities. x. Hearing tests: Whisper test, tuning fork tests (Weber and Rinne) 10. Identify the cranial nerves associated with the ear assessment y. Cranial nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear): Responsible for hearing and balance 11. Identify age related changes to the ear assessment z. Infants: Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal, increasing the risk of infections. a. Older adults: Increased cerumen impaction, presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), and decreased acuity