Head And Neck
Unit 2
Overview
Head
and Neck
|
Overview
Head and Neck - History questions
(scalp and hair discussed with skin, hair)
- headaches
- seizures
- trauma
- loss of consciousness
- dizziness, nausea
- headache, seizures
- report from bystander
- risk for trauma
- seat belt use
- athletics, lifestyle
Head and Neck - History questions (Continued)
- changes in weight, activity tolerance
- stiffness, pain, ROM
- difficulty swallowing
- recurrent infection
Inspection/Palpation of the skull
Infant
Size
- normocephalic
- hydrocephalic
- microcephalic
- macrocephalic
Shape, Contour, Symmetry
- Circumference
- Measured every visit until age 1
- after 1 year chest is larger
- Fontanelles
- purpose
- closure
- Contour/Symmetry
Inspection of Face
- Observe facial expression while asking history questions
- Grossly inspect for symmetry
- involuntary movements
- edema
- lesions, masses
- Integrity of cranial nerves can be tested here
- CN #’s V and VII
- Motor & Sensory components
Inspection of Neck
- symmetry
- masses
- scars
- enlargement of parotid or submaxillary glands
- visible lymph nodes
- distention of carotid arteries and jugular veins
Inspect and palpate
- Sternocleidomastoid muscles (CN XI)
- head flexion
- lateral rotation
- ROM of neck
- Trapezius
- move neck to resistance
Palpate lymph nodes
- Pre auricular
- post auricular
- occipital
- tonsillar
- submaxillary
- submental
- superficial cervical
- posterior cervical
- deep cervical
- supraclavicular
- infraclavicular
Palpate lymph nodes for
- size
- shape
- mobility
- consistency
- tenderness
Thyroid and trachea
Trachea
- Screening - trachea and thyroid
- inspect and palpate for NL midline position
Thyroid
- Inspect contour and symmetry
(ask pt to swallow water)
- Palpate posteriorly
- more readily palpable in thin people
- note size and consistency
- note tenderness, nodules
- if enlarged, listen for bruit
Nursing Diagnoses