NOSE AND SINUSES ASSESSMENT - LEC

• Nose and Paranasal sinuses


  Constitute the first part of the respiratory system and are responsible for receiving, filtering, warming, and moistening air to be transported to the lungs.
• Nose


  • Consist of external portion covered with skin and an internal nasal cavity. It is composed of bone and cartilage and is lined with mucous membrane
  • Consist of a bridge (upper portion), tip, and two oval opening called nares
• Nasal cavity


  Located between the roof of the mouth and the cranium. It extends from the anterior nares (nostrils) to the posterior nares, which open into the nasopharynx.
• Nasal septum


  Seperates the cavity into two halves.
• Kiesselbach's area


  • The front of the nasal septum contains a rich supply of blood vessel and is known as?
  • Common site for nose bleeding
• PARANASAL SINUSES:

  • Frontal
  • Maxillary
  • Ethmoidal
  • Sphenoidal
• Paranasal sinuses


  Are also lined with ciliated mucous membrane that traps debris and propels it toward the outside
• Sinuses


  Are often a primary site of infection because they can easily become blocked
• What sinuses are accessible to examination by the nurse?

  • Frontal sinuses
  • Maxillary sinuses
• Are smaller sinuses, located deeper in the skull, and are not accessible for examination:

  • Ethmoidal sinuses
  • Sphenoidal sinuses
• Epistaxis


  Refers to nosebleed
• Flaring


  • Refers to nostril dilation that occurs during inspiration
  • Normal to some extent during quiet breathing but marked regular flaring is abnormal
• Stufiness and Discharge


  Refers to obstruction of the nasal mucous membrane accompanied by secretions