Assessing Nose and Sinuses

Anatomy of the Nose• External Structures

– Bridge– Tip– Nostrils– Vestibule

• Internal Structures– Mucous Membranes– Hard Palate, Soft Palate– Turbinates Septum– Posterior Pharynx– Opening of Eustachian Tube

Nose and Sinuses• Functions:

– Identification of Odors– Air Passage– Humidification, Warming, and Filtering Air– Resonance of Speech– Drainage of Sinuses

Assessing the Nose and Sinuses• Inquire if the client has any history of the following:

• Allergies• Difficulty of breathing through the nose• Sinus infections• Injuries to nose or face

• Nosebleeds• Medications taken• Changes in the sense of smell

• Inspect the external nose for any deviations in shape, size, or color and flaring or discharge from the nares

• Lightly palpate the external nose• Determine the patency of both nasal cavities

>Air moves freely as the client breathes through the nares.

• Inspect the nasal cavities using a flashlight or a nasal speculum>Observe for the presence of redness, swelling, growths and discharge.Inspect the nasal septum between the nasal chambers

Assessing Facial SinusesSinuses:• Frontal • Ethmoid• Sphenoid• Maxillary

• Palpate the maxillary and frontal sinuses for tenderness

Lifespan Considerations• Infants:

• A speculum is usually not necessary to examine the septum, turbinates, and septum

Children• A speculum is not necessary, it might cause the

child to be apprehensive• Cough and runny nose are the most common

signs of sinusitis in preadolescent childrenElders

• The sense of smell Markedly diminishes• Nosebleeds may result from hypertensive

diseases or other arterial vessel changes