NOSE ASSESSMENT

• Inspect the external nose - for symmetry and lesions.
• Test the patency of each nostril.
• Nasal septum is normally straight and not perforated.
• Airways are patent.
• Mucous membranes are normally pink.
• Turbinate is pink, no swelling.
• Frontal Sinus - direct manual upward pressure above the eyebrows. Avoid pressure on eyes.
• Maxillary Sinus - with thumbs, direct pressure upward over lower edge of maxillary bones.
• Normally, no tenderness is experienced when pressure is applied on the frontal and maxillary sinuses.
• Tenderness on sinuses may indicate sinusitis
• Rhinorrhea: Nasal discharge.
• Epistaxis: Nosebleeds.
• Rhinitis: Inflammation of the nose.
• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses.
• Anosmia: Loss of sense of smell.