Exam 17: Nose, Mouth, and Throat

The nurse is obtaining a health history on a 3-month-old infant. During the interview, the mother states, "I think she is getting her first tooth because she has started drooling a lot." What is the best response by the nurse?

During a checkup, a 22-year-old woman tells the nurse that she uses an over-the-counter nasal spray because of her allergies. She also states that it does not work as well as it used to when she first started using it. Which is the best response by the nurse?

The nurse is assessing a patient with a history of intravenous drug abuse. In assessing his mouth, the nurse notices a dark red confluent macule on the hard palate. This could be an early sign of what disease or disorder?

The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old for "drainage from the nose." On assessment, a purulent drainage that has a very foul odor is noted from the left naris and no drainage is observed from the right naris. The child is afebrile with no other symptoms. What should the nurse do next?

What are the projections in the nasal cavity that increase the surface area are called?

The nurse is performing an assessment on a 21-year-old patient and notices that his nasal mucosa appears pale, gray, and swollen. What would be the most appropriate question to ask the patient?

The nurse notices that the mother of a 2-year-old boy brings him into the clinic quite frequently for various injuries and suspects there may be some child abuse involved. What should the nurse look for during an inspection of this child's mouth?

A mother brings her 4-month-old infant to the clinic with concerns regarding a small pad in the middle of the upper lip that has been there since 1 month of age. The infant has no health problems. On physical examination, the nurse notices a 0.5-cm, fleshy, elevated area in the middle of the upper lip. No evidence of inflammation or drainage is observed. What would the nurse tell this mother?

A 40-year-old patient who has just finished chemotherapy for breast cancer tells the nurse that she is concerned about her mouth. During the assessment the nurse finds areas of buccal mucosa that are raw and red with some bleeding, as well as other areas that have a white, cheesy coating. What do these findings indicate?

The nurse is performing an oral assessment on a 40-year-old black patient and notices the presence of a 1-cm, nontender, grayish-white lesion on the left buccal mucosa. Which one of these statements is true about this lesion?

The nurse is reviewing the development of the newborn infant. Regarding the sinuses, which statement is true in relation to a newborn infant?

When examining the mouth of an older patient, the nurse recognizes which finding is due to the aging process?

While obtaining a health history from the mother of a 1-year-old child, the nurse notices that the baby has had a bottle in his mouth the entire time. The mother states, "It makes a great pacifier." What is the best response by the nurse?

When examining the nares of a 45-year-old patient who is experiencing rhinorrhea, itching of the nose and eyes, and sneezing, the nurse notices the following: pale turbinates, swelling of the turbinates, and clear rhinorrhea. Which of these conditions is most likely the cause?

A 72-year-old patient has a history of hypertension and chronic lung disease. Which is an important question for the nurse to include in this patient's health history?

During an oral examination of a 4-year-old American-Indian child, the nurse notices that her uvula is partially split. Which of these statements is accurate?

While performing an assessment of the mouth, the nurse notices that the patient has a 1-cm ulceration that is crusted with an elevated border and located on the outer third of the lower lip. What other information would be most important for the nurse to assess?

In assessing the tonsils of a 30-year-old, the nurse notices that they are involuted, granular in appearance, and appear to have deep crypts. What is the correct response to these findings?

Immediately after birth, the nurse is unable to suction the nares of a crying newborn. An attempt is made to pass a catheter through both nasal cavities with no success. What should the nurse do next?

A patient comes into the clinic complaining of facial pain, fever, and malaise. On examination, the nurse notes swollen turbinates and purulent discharge from the nose. The patient also complains of a dull, throbbing pain in his cheeks and teeth on the right side and pain when the nurse palpates the areas. What do these findings indicate?