Question

3. Give the importance of eyes, ears, nose, mouth and throat assessment. Provide significant findings in each body parts that needs to be address to the physician.

Answer 1

Physical assessment includes head to toe examination of the patient.It gives insight into patients current health status,health needs and their goals for health outcomes.Any unusual findings should be followed up with a focussed assessment specific to the affected body system.It incorporates the recognition of deviation from normal body physiology.Prompt recognition of pertinent changes along with the critical thinking helps in identifying and prioritizing appropriate interventions.Before physical assessment a detailed history should be taken regarding occupation,habits,past medical history,family history,socio economic background etc.Also while assessing you should stick on to the principles like proper communication,obtaining consent for the assessment, documentation,watching for bilateral symmetry.

Eyes: Notify the physician about the abnormal findings such as pale cornea which indicates anaemia,inflammation or reddness of conjunctiva which indicates conjunctivitis,vision changes like blurring of vision,problems with vision assessed by snellen's chart,eye pain, drooping of eyelids,squint .

Nose:Nose shouldbe assessed for any foul smelling discharge it's color,excessive flarring of nostrils which may indicate respiratory distress,presence of any growth like polyps in the nose, deviation of nasal septum,absence of smell,palpation of sinuses.

Ear:Ear should be assessed for hearing,any discharge, hearing abnormal sounds in the ear,ask for vertigo which can be due to problems with inner ear.

Mouth and Throat:Examine the mouth and throat thoroughly.watch for any deviation of angle of mouth,look the gums for inflammation,bleeding.Examine the tongue for reddness,lesions,sores,cavities of teeth,hallitosis and should be reported.Check the tonsils for inflammation and reddness,any swallowing difficulty,sores on cheeks,Palpate neck for any swelling like goitre,any lumps,any lymph node enlargement.