PN3 EXAM 3 KEY CONCEPTS AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS 2026

PN3 EXAM 3 KEY CONCEPTS AND CLINICAL
APPLICATIONS 2026

◉ How do you assess pain? What other things can you use other
than the 0-10 scale to judge pain in your patient?. Answer: o Happy -
> frown face
o Watch for cues with older/dementia patients
o PAINAD scale - dementia
§ Breathing independent of vocalization
§ Negative vocalization
§ Facial expression
§ Body language
§ Consolability


◉ What makes pain acute vs chronic? What factors can impact a
patient's pain?. Answer: - Acute: Occurs suddenly with recent injury
or illness
- Chronic: pain that persists for more than 3-6 months. Recurring at
intervals of months or years


◉ List how you assess each of the following areas: Head. Answer: o
Facial expression
o Shape of facial structures (symmetry)

,o Inspect for involuntary movements
o Inspect the scalp for dryness, infestations
o Palpate for bumps


◉ List how you assess each of the following areas: Eyes. Answer: o
Sclera - white
o Conjunctiva - clear with pink underlay
o Eyelids for ptosis
o PERRLA - pupils equally round and reactive to light and
accommodation
o Pupils - equal size and shape
o Measure pupils
o Check pupillary light reflex
o Check pupillary response to accommodation


◉ List how you assess each of the following areas: Ears. Answer: o
Redness
o Drainage
o Swelling
o Lesions
o Cerumen
o Tenderness

, ◉ List how you assess each of the following areas: Nose. Answer: o
Nasal septum and turbinate
o Palpate sinuses
o Patency


◉ List how you assess each of the following areas: Throat/Mouth.
Answer: o Mouth
§ Lips
§ Teeth
§ Gums
§ Tongue
§ Mucosa
§ Palate
o Throat
§ Tonsils (grade)
§ Posterior pharynx


◉ What assessment techniques are you using when assessing
HEENT. Answer: - Inspection
- Palpation