HEENT HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUIZ
6 TEST QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Otitis Media with Effusion - Answer-This is an inflammation of the middle ear space
resulting in accumulation of serous fluid in the middle ear.
Clinical Findings:
Common symptoms include a clogged sensation in the ears and problems with hearing
and balance. Some report clicking or popping sounds within the ear. Because this
condition is not associated with the acute inflammation (as in Acute Otitis Media aka
AOM), fever and ear pain are absent. On examination the TM is often retracted and is
yellow or gray with limited immobility.
Conductive Hearing Loss - Answer-This is caused by the interference of air conduction
to the middle ear. It can result from blockage of the external auditory canal (such as
cerumen impaction), problems with the TM (perforations, retraction pockets, or
tympanosclerosis), or problems within the middle ear (otitis media with effusion,
otoscerosis, trauma, or cholesteastoma).
Clinical Findings:
Typically the chief complaint is a decreased ability to hear and the report of muffled
tones. Other findings depend on the cause; obstructions within the auditory canal or
problems with the TM may be visible with otoscopic examination, whereas problems
within the middle ear may not be visible. During a Weber's test, the patient reports
sound heard in the affected ear. During a Rinne test, the patient hears bone conduction
longer than air conduction.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss - Answer-This is caused by structural changes, disorders of
te inner ear, or problems with the auditory nerve. This condition accounts for over 90%
of hearing loss cases. Presbycusis, the most common cause of this condition, is caused
by atrophy and deterioration of the cells in the cochlea or atrophy, degeneration, and
stiffening of cochlear motion.
Clinical Findings:
Presbycusis usually manifests as a gradual and progressive bilateral deafness with a
loss of high-pitched tones. Patients with presbycusis have difficulty filtering background
noise, making listening difficult. During a Weber's test, the patient reports sound in the
unaffected ear. During the Rinne test, the patient hears air conduction longer than bone
conduction, but it will be less than a 2 : 1 ration.
, Epistaxis - Answer-This term means bleeding from the nose. This occurs in all age-
groups but most commonly affects the elderly and is one of the most common
conditions of the nose. Common causes of nosebleeds include forceful sneezing or
coughing, trauma, picking the nose, or heavy exertion. Some nosebleeds occur
spontaneously without an obvious causative vent.
Clinical Findings:
The primary sign and symptom is bleeding from the nose. Bleeding can be mild or
heavy. Because of the high vascularity, most nosebleeds occur from Kiesselbach's
area, which is located in the anterior aspect of the septum; however, bleeds from the
posterior septum may also occur and tend to be more severe.
Allergic Rhinitis - Answer-Inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This condition affects
millions of individuals and is usually caused by an inhalant allergy, which may be a
seasonal allergy or a year-round sensitivity to dust and molds. A strong family history is
associated with this condition.
Clinical Findings:
After exposure to the allergen the individual experiences sneezing, nasal congestion,
and nasal drainage. Other symptoms can include itchy eyes, cough, and fatigue.
Turbinates are often enlarged and may appear pale or darker red.
Acute Sinusitis - Answer-This is an infection of the sinuses that typically occurs as a
result of pooling of secretions within the sinuses, which often occurs after an upper
respiratory infection. These pooled secretions provide a medium for bacterial growth.
Clinical Findings:
The most common symptom is throbbing pain within the affected sinus. The sinus is
tender to palpation. The patient may also have fever; thick purulent nasal discharge;
and edematous, erythematous nasal mucosa. If transillumination is performed, absence
of a red glow is noted in the affected sinus.
Herpes Simplex - Answer-This is a highly contagious, common viral infection caused by
the herpes simplex type 1 virus. It is spread by direct contact. Recurrent infections occur
following a stimulus of sun exposure, cold temperature, fever, or an allergy. Herpes
simplex lesions also can occur in the mouth.
Clinical Findings:
The patient typically has a prodromal burning, tingling, or pain sensation before the
outbreak of the lesions. They usually appear on the lip-skin junction as groups of
vesicular lesions with an erythematous base. Like other herpes infections, the lesions
progress from vesicles, to pustules, and finally to crusts. Herpes simplex lesions in the
mouth appear as white ulcerations.
Gingivitis - Answer-A common condition among adults, this is an inflammation of the
gingivae (gums). It can be acute, chronic, or recurrent. The most common cause is poor
6 TEST QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Otitis Media with Effusion - Answer-This is an inflammation of the middle ear space
resulting in accumulation of serous fluid in the middle ear.
Clinical Findings:
Common symptoms include a clogged sensation in the ears and problems with hearing
and balance. Some report clicking or popping sounds within the ear. Because this
condition is not associated with the acute inflammation (as in Acute Otitis Media aka
AOM), fever and ear pain are absent. On examination the TM is often retracted and is
yellow or gray with limited immobility.
Conductive Hearing Loss - Answer-This is caused by the interference of air conduction
to the middle ear. It can result from blockage of the external auditory canal (such as
cerumen impaction), problems with the TM (perforations, retraction pockets, or
tympanosclerosis), or problems within the middle ear (otitis media with effusion,
otoscerosis, trauma, or cholesteastoma).
Clinical Findings:
Typically the chief complaint is a decreased ability to hear and the report of muffled
tones. Other findings depend on the cause; obstructions within the auditory canal or
problems with the TM may be visible with otoscopic examination, whereas problems
within the middle ear may not be visible. During a Weber's test, the patient reports
sound heard in the affected ear. During a Rinne test, the patient hears bone conduction
longer than air conduction.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss - Answer-This is caused by structural changes, disorders of
te inner ear, or problems with the auditory nerve. This condition accounts for over 90%
of hearing loss cases. Presbycusis, the most common cause of this condition, is caused
by atrophy and deterioration of the cells in the cochlea or atrophy, degeneration, and
stiffening of cochlear motion.
Clinical Findings:
Presbycusis usually manifests as a gradual and progressive bilateral deafness with a
loss of high-pitched tones. Patients with presbycusis have difficulty filtering background
noise, making listening difficult. During a Weber's test, the patient reports sound in the
unaffected ear. During the Rinne test, the patient hears air conduction longer than bone
conduction, but it will be less than a 2 : 1 ration.
, Epistaxis - Answer-This term means bleeding from the nose. This occurs in all age-
groups but most commonly affects the elderly and is one of the most common
conditions of the nose. Common causes of nosebleeds include forceful sneezing or
coughing, trauma, picking the nose, or heavy exertion. Some nosebleeds occur
spontaneously without an obvious causative vent.
Clinical Findings:
The primary sign and symptom is bleeding from the nose. Bleeding can be mild or
heavy. Because of the high vascularity, most nosebleeds occur from Kiesselbach's
area, which is located in the anterior aspect of the septum; however, bleeds from the
posterior septum may also occur and tend to be more severe.
Allergic Rhinitis - Answer-Inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This condition affects
millions of individuals and is usually caused by an inhalant allergy, which may be a
seasonal allergy or a year-round sensitivity to dust and molds. A strong family history is
associated with this condition.
Clinical Findings:
After exposure to the allergen the individual experiences sneezing, nasal congestion,
and nasal drainage. Other symptoms can include itchy eyes, cough, and fatigue.
Turbinates are often enlarged and may appear pale or darker red.
Acute Sinusitis - Answer-This is an infection of the sinuses that typically occurs as a
result of pooling of secretions within the sinuses, which often occurs after an upper
respiratory infection. These pooled secretions provide a medium for bacterial growth.
Clinical Findings:
The most common symptom is throbbing pain within the affected sinus. The sinus is
tender to palpation. The patient may also have fever; thick purulent nasal discharge;
and edematous, erythematous nasal mucosa. If transillumination is performed, absence
of a red glow is noted in the affected sinus.
Herpes Simplex - Answer-This is a highly contagious, common viral infection caused by
the herpes simplex type 1 virus. It is spread by direct contact. Recurrent infections occur
following a stimulus of sun exposure, cold temperature, fever, or an allergy. Herpes
simplex lesions also can occur in the mouth.
Clinical Findings:
The patient typically has a prodromal burning, tingling, or pain sensation before the
outbreak of the lesions. They usually appear on the lip-skin junction as groups of
vesicular lesions with an erythematous base. Like other herpes infections, the lesions
progress from vesicles, to pustules, and finally to crusts. Herpes simplex lesions in the
mouth appear as white ulcerations.
Gingivitis - Answer-A common condition among adults, this is an inflammation of the
gingivae (gums). It can be acute, chronic, or recurrent. The most common cause is poor
