Health Assessment - Ch 15. Head and Neck

Vertebra prominens

Cervical vertebra (C7) that can be easily palpated when the neck is flexed

Trapezius and sternocleidomastoid

Paired muscles that allowed movement and provide support to the head and neck

Cricoid cartilage

Ring-like cartilage forming the lower and back part of hte larynx

Cranial Nerve XI

Spinal accessory nerve-contraction of trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles

Trachea

The air passage extending from the throat and larynx to the main bronchi

Parotid Gland

The largest of the 3 main parts of salivary glands, located on either side of the face, just below and in front of the ears

Thyroid gland

The largest of the endocrine glands, situated in the front and sides of the neck just below the thyroid cartilage

Adam's apple

The thyroid cartilage located just above the cricoid cartilage

Hyoid bone

a horseshoe-shaped bone at the base of the tongue; the only bone in the body not directly attached to another bone

Sublingual Gland

a salivary on either side of the tongue

A female client visits the clinic and tells the nurse that she frequently experiences severe recurring headaches that sometimes last for several days and are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The nurse determines that the type of headache the client is describing is a: a) migraine headache b) cluster headache c) tension headache d) tumor-related headache

a) migrane headache

The nurse assesses an adult client's head and neck. While examining the carotid arteries, the nurse assesses each artery individually to prevent a: a) reduction of the blood supply to the brain b) rapid rise in the client's pulse rate c) premature ventricular heart sound d) decreased pulse pressure

a) reduction of the blood supply to the brain

A client visits the outpatient center with a complaint of sudden head and neck pain and stiffness. The client's oral temp is 100°F. The nurse suspects the client is experiencing symptoms of: a) migraine headache b) meningeal irritation c) trigeminal neuralgia d) otitis media

b) meningeal irritation

While assessing the head and neck of an adult client, the client tells the nurse that she has been experiencing sharp, shooting facial pains that last from 10-20 sec but are occurring more frequently. The nurse should refer the client for possible: a) cancerous lesions b) arterial occlusion c) inner ear disease d) trigeminal neuralgia

d) trigeminal neuralgia