HEENT examination

A HEENT examination is a portion of a physical examination; it principally concerns the Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose and Throat.

Components of the exam may include:

Steps

• IPPA
  • Inspection of scars or skin changes
  • Palpation of temporomandibular joint, thyroid, and lymph nodes
  • Percussion may involve the skin above the frontal sinuses and paranasal sinuses to detect any signs of pain
  • Auscultation for carotid bruits
• Tests specific to HEENT examation
  • Eyes: eye examination and acuity (including ophthalmoscope)
  • Ears: hearing examination and evaluation of tympanic membrane (otoscope used in evaluation of ears, nose, and mouth)

A neurologic examination is usually considered separate from the HEENT evaluation, though there can be some overlap.

Sample writeup

Category	Item	Sample text
Head		"NC/AT" or "Normocephalic, atraumatic"
Eyes	opthalmoscope	"EOM intact, EOMI, PERRLA, anicteric, no injection, fundus WNL (within normal limits), no papilledema"
Nose	otoscope	"No congestion"
Ears	otoscope	"TM intact, noninflammed"
Throat	otoscope	"Oropharynx WNL" or "no erythema or exudate"
Mouth	otoscope	"Moist mucous membranes, no thrush, no vesicles, no lesions, good dentition"
Neck		"No LAD, thyroid WNL, neck supple" (JVD and bruit may be reported here or in CV)

See also

• HEENT