Assessment of Head

& Neck

Prepared by:
Dr. Azlina Yusuf
4 October 2015

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the lecture, students will be able to:

Identify anatomy & physiology of the head & neck

Prepare for the equipment, patient & environment for the head
& neck examination
Examine accurately the head & neck
Identify normal and abnormal findings from the head & neck
examination
Document the findings of head & neck examination in the
nursing process form
Formulate nursing diagnosis r/t head & neck problem

Assessment of Head & Neck

Area to be included: skull,
face, eyes, ears, nose,
mouth, pharynx & neck
Inspection & Palpation
(Auscultation: assessment of
carotid arteries)

Anatomy of Head & Neck

Anatomy Head & Neck

Skull & Face

Involves inspection & palpation

Inspection:
i. Shape of skull & determine whether
the size of skull is proportionate to
body size.
ii. Symmetry & involuntary facial
muscle movement
Facial anomalies

Identify normal and abnormal

findings from the head & neck
examination

Skull & Face

Facial anomalies provide
information relevant to the overall
health status:
i. An elongated head, protruding jaw,
enlarge nose, thicken lips
i. A round moon face with excessive
hair growth Cushing Syndrome

Neck
Assessment of neck includes neck muscles, lymph nodes of the head
& neck, thyroid gland and trachea
Lymph nodes not easily palpable unless infection is present
Inspection for symmetry & musculature:
i. Instruct client to flex chin to chest and to each side and shoulder
ii. Instruct client to hyperextend neck backward
Normal findings: Movement through full range of motion with no
limitation or discomfort

Neck
Palpate lymph nodes:

i.

Instruct client to relax & flex

neck slightly forward

ii.

Stand in front of client &

systematically palpate anterior
cervical nodes & posterior
cervical nodes

iii.

Note size, shape, mobility,

consistency & tenderness

Neck
Inspect & Palpate trachea:

i.

Note position midline position

in suprasternal notch

ii.

Place thumbs & index fingers

on sides of trachea

iii.

Apply gentle pressure &

palpate

Neck
Inspect & Palpate thyroid gland:
Inspection

i.

Stand in front of client

ii.

Instruct client to swallow, with

the neck hyperextended

iii.

Look for the free mobility of the

thyroid gland

Palpation

i.

Stand behind the client &

instruct client to flex neck

ii.

Note the temperature over the

gland & adjacent skin

Neck
Palpate thyroid gland:
i.
Locate thyroid cartilage &
move 2/3 rings below the
cricoid

ii.

Feel for thyroid isthmus

iii.

Ask the client to swallow while

you palpate

iv.

Note the surface consistency &

borders/ margin of each lobe

v.

Push the left lobe to the right

as you feel the right lobe

vi.

Do the opposite for palpation of

the left lobe