The art and science of nursing encompasses a comprehensive approach to patient care, rooted in thorough assessments that lay the foundation for accurate diagnoses and effective interventions. One of the pivotal aspects of this approach is the assessment of the head and neck. Included in the assessment of the head and neck is the assessment of the eyes, ears, mouth, throat, nose, and sinuses. This chapter delves into the intricacies of conducting an assessment of the head and neck, equipping nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to identify normal and abnormal assessment findings.
Figure
22.1
A comprehensive nursing assessment of the head and neck can identify abnormalities in the patient’s ability to hear, see, smell, and taste. (credit: modification of “US Navy
030424-N-6967M-240 Lt. j.g. Elavonta Thomas conducts a routine check on one of the patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) aboard
USNS Comfort (T-AH 20).jpg” by U.S. Navy/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)