NURS 6512 Week 3 Discussion: Physical Assessment of Head, Face, Ears, Eyes, Nose and Throat

Discussion Topic: Module 2: Discussion Module 2: Discussion

Back to Module 2: General, HEENT, Neck, and Skin

Demonstration of Physical Assessment of Head and Face, Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat, and Mouth (10-minute video)

Strong physical assessment skills are an important foundational skill in nursing practice. Proper technique, sequencing, positioning, and professional communication while verbalizing normal expected findings throughout the assessment is essential. This activity helps build your confidence as you receive feedback from your peers in preparation for your Final Skills Check-off.

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this assessment.

Required Resources

NOTE: Utilize this text as a clinical reference to aid your analysis for the relevant areas noted. Also utilize study questions to develop your understanding of the concepts and topics presented throughout this course.

Soriano, R. P. (2026). Bates’ guide to physical examination and history taking (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health.

Chapter 10, “General Survey, Vital Signs, and Pain”

Chapter 12, “Skin, Hair, and Nails”

Walden University, LLC. (2026). Advanced Physical Assessment Part 1: Demonstration Video of Physical Assessment of Head and Face, Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat, and Mouth [Video]. Walden University Canvas. https://waldenu.instructure.com

[RELAXING MUSIC]

NANCY HADLEY: We’re going to jump right in.

I am going to demonstrate palpation of the lymph nodes,

the preauricular in front of the ears,

posterior auricular behind the ears,

the occipital at the back of the head,

tonsillar at the edge of the jaw,

submandibular under the jaw, and submental under the chin,

anterior cervical at the front of the neck,

and posterior cervical at the back of the neck.

Supraclavicular is above the clavicle on both sides.

There is no enlargement, and they’re equal bilaterally.

The next thing I’m going to do is cranial nerve V,

which is trigeminal.

And I’m going to palpate over the masseter muscles

as the patient clenches the jaw.

And cranial nerve V is intact.

Next I’m going to do sensory, checking light

touch over the forehead.

Let me know if it feels the same on both sides.

The cheeks.

The chin.

Does everything feel the same?

SPEAKER: Feels the same.

NANCY HADLEY: OK.

So cranial nerve V is intact.

Then I’m going to check the face for symmetry.

I’m going to have the patient to smile.

I’m going to have them frown.

Raise the eyebrows.

Puff out the cheeks.

Pucker the lips.

Cranial nerve VII is intact.

The next thing I’m going to do is inspect

the ear using my otoscope.

I’m going to inspect the auditory canal

and the tympanic membranes of both ears.

I’m going to pull up and back.

I’m going to shine the light in the external canal.

And I’m going to note that it is clear,

that there’s no swelling or redness, drainage

or cerumen noted.

And the tympanic membrane is intact and pearly gray.

And there is no effusion.

The next test is going to be a whisper test.

I’m going to whisper three words into the patient’s ear

and have them repeat the words back.

Cover the ear that you are not testing.

And repeat after me.

Christmas.

SPEAKER: Christmas.

Three.

Ear.

NANCY HADLEY: All right.

We’re going to do the other side, covering this ear.

SPEAKER: Halloween.

NANCY HADLEY: Six.

SPEAKER: Six.

NANCY HADLEY: Tire.

SPEAKER: Tire.

NANCY HADLEY: All right, so hearing is intact bilaterally.

Next, I’m going to assess the eye, the optic nerve,

asking the patient to watch my hands bilaterally.

I’m going to try and be at the patient’s same level.

I’m going to bring the hands from the back.

Let me know when you see my fingers wiggle.

SPEAKER: Now.

Now.

NANCY HADLEY: All right.

So peripheral vision is normal.

The next thing I’m going to do is use my ophthalmoscope.

And I’m going to check pupillary response to light or PERRLA

using the ophthalmoscope and have

the patient stare at my nose and come from this side

and from this side.

All right.

And pupils are about 2 to 3 millimeters,

and they are responsive to light.

The next thing I’m going to do is the cranial nerve III, IV,

and VI, the oculomotor, the trochlear, and the abducens.

I’m going to use an H pattern and have

the patient follow my finger.

OK.

EOMs are intact and equal bilaterally.

I’m also going to do a funduscopic exam assessing

the blood vessels in the eye.

OK.

I’m going to put my hand on the shoulder

so that I can guide myself in and take off my glasses.

The disk margins around and sharp.

There’s no AV nicking, no exudate, and no hemorrhages.

The next thing I’m going to do is assess the nasal turbinates

and the septum.

So I’m going to tip the nose.

And I’m going to look in both sides.

And I can see from that that the turbinates are pink and moist.

The septum is midline.

There’s no angling anteriorly, and the septum

is straight with no deviations.

The next thing I’m going to do is palpate

the frontal and maxillary sinuses.

Is there any pain here?

SPEAKER: No.

NANCY HADLEY: Any pain here?

SPEAKER: No.

NANCY HADLEY: Any pain here?

SPEAKER: No.

NANCY HADLEY: OK.

So no tenderness is noted on palpation

of the frontal and maxillary sinuses.

The next thing I’m going to do is inspect the mouth and throat.

We’re going to look at lips, teeth, gums, buccal mucosa,

hard and soft palate, the tongue and the floor of the mouth,

as well as the posterior pharynx and tonsils.

Evaluating the patient, her lips are pink and moist.

Let me have you open your mouth.

OK.

Teeth, there are no signs of decay.

On her gums, there’s no redness or swelling,

and they’re moist and pink.

The buccal mucosa on both sides are pink and moist.

Soft and hard palate are also pink and moist.

Tongue is pink and moist.

Let me have you lift your tongue.

All right.

The floor of the mouth is pink, and there’s

no nodules or drainage noted.

And posterior pharynx, all right, there’s no drainage,

it’s pink and moist, and the tonsils are grade 1.

The next thing I’m going to do while I’m evaluating the mouth

is looking at the cranial nerve IX, which is glossopharyngeal,

and X, the vagus nerve.

So have the patient say ah.

SPEAKER: Ah.

NANCY HADLEY: All right.

And what I see is that there is a symmetrical

rise of the soft palate with phonation.

The cranial nerve IX is a gag reflex,

and we’re not going to test it for this exam.

The uvula on exam is symmetrical with phonation,

so cranial nerve X is intact.

The next one is cranial nerve XII or hypoglossal.

So have your patient stick their tongue out, move it side

to side.

All right.

The cranial nerve XII is intact.

Document: Physical Exam Reference Sheet

Document: Part 1 of the Final Skills Check-Off Grading Rubric

To prepare:

Watch the Demonstration Video in the Learning Resources for proper technique and verbalizations.

Download Part 1 of the Final Skills Check-Off Grading Rubric. Review the rubric to familiarize yourself with the expectations for the Final Skills Check-Off. Note: This rubric will not be used to grade this discussion; however, reviewing it will help you practice the relevant section of the physical assessment in preparation for your Final Skills Check-Off.

Review the Assignment Rubric. NURS-6512 Module 2: Week 3 Discussion Demonstration of Physical Assessment of Head and Face, Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat, and Mouth (10-minute video)

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Reply button to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Post Reply , you cannot delete or edit your own posts and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Post Reply !

By Wednesday of Week 3

Using a (friend, family member, or co-worker), video record your practice physical assessment of the head, face, ears, eyes, nose, throat, and mouth. You may use Zoom, Teams, or your phone camera.

During the assessment, verbalize normal expected findings. Ensure clear camera angle, appropriate lighting, and professional communication throughout the process. Limit the length of the video to 10 minutes or less.

Post your demonstration video.

By Saturday of Week 3

View 2 classmates’ videos and provide constructive feedback on technique, verbalizations, and camera setup. NURS-6512 Module 2: Week 3 Discussion Demonstration of Physical Assessment of Head and Face, Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat, and Mouth (10-minute video)