Question

information about how to asssess: head, neck and eyes
. pictures, pictures how evaliate, pictures in PowerPoint information about this assignment

Answer 1

During the head and neck assessment you will be assessing the following structures:

Head

includes- face, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, temporal artery, sinuses, temporomandibular joint, cranial nerves

Neck

includes-lymph nodes, carotid artery, cranial nerves, thyroid gland, trachea

Head:

Inspect the face and hair:

Inspect the overall appearance of the face (are the eyes and ears at the same level)?

Is the head an appropriate size for the body?

Is the face symmetrical…. no drooping of the face on one side (eyes or lips). This can happen in Bell’s palsy or stroke

Are the facial expressions symmetrical (no involuntary movements)?

Any lesions?

Test cranial nerve VII…facial nerve: have the patient close their eyes tightly, smile, frown, puff out cheek. Can they do this will ease?

Palpate the cranium and inspect the hair for infestations, hair loss, skin breakdown or abnormalities:

Palpate for any masses or indentations

Skin breakdown (especially on the back of the head in immobile patients)?

Inspect the hair for any infestations: lice, alopecia areata (round abrupt balding in patches), nevus on the scalp etc.

Palpate the temporal artery bilaterally

Test Cranial Nerve V…..trigeminal nerve: This nerve is responsible for many functions and mastication is one of them.

Have the patient bite down and feel the masseter muscle and temporal muscle

Then have the patient try to open the mouth against resistance