Tympanic Membrane And Thyroid Gland Using Classroom Resource

Tympanic Membrane And Thyroid Glandusing The Classroom Resources Or So

Using the classroom resources or South University Online Library, research the tympanic membrane and the thyroid gland. In a Microsoft Word document of 4-5 pages formatted in APA style, address each of the following criteria:

Two focused health assessment histories: one assessment related to the tympanic membrane and the other focused on the thyroid gland. The assessments can be hypothetical patients or patients you have had in the past (remember HIPAA if describing a previous patient).

A description of the normal and abnormal findings of the tympanic membrane.

Information on how to examine the thyroid gland using both the anterior and posterior methods.

A concise note in the subjective, objective, assessment (be sure to include the NANDA diagnosis as well as the medical diagnosis), and plan (SOAP) format with each patient's encountered findings.

For a review of SOAP notes: SOAP Documentation Information about laboratory/diagnostic tests used for screening clients with tympanic membrane or thyroid gland issues. Include the expected normal results for each test.

On a separate references page, cite all sources using APA format. Please note that the title and reference pages should not be included in the total page count of your paper. Use this APA Citation Helper as a convenient reference for properly citing resources.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The examination of the tympanic membrane and the thyroid gland are critical components in clinical assessments, providing vital information about ear and thyroid health. These assessments enable healthcare professionals to identify both normal and abnormal conditions, facilitating timely diagnosis and intervention. This paper discusses health assessment histories for each, describes normal and abnormal findings, explains examination techniques, and includes sample SOAP notes based on hypothetical patient scenarios, alongside relevant diagnostic tests and normal results.

Assessment Histories

Patient 1: Tympanic Membrane

A 35-year-old male presents with a history of recurrent ear infections. The patient reports episodic ear pain, muffled hearing, and occasional dizziness over the past month. No recent trauma or exposure to loud noises are noted. Past medical history is unremarkable, and there are no allergies. No ototoxic medications have been taken recently.

Patient 2: Thyroid Gland

A 48-year-old female reports unexplained weight loss, palpitations, and heat intolerance over the past two months. She also notes increased sweating and occasional tremors. Her medical history includes Hypertension, controlled with medications. Family history reveals a thyroid disorder. No neck pain or dysphagia is reported.

Normal and Abnormal Findings of the Tympanic Membrane

Normal tympanic membranes appear shiny, translucent, and pearly gray with visible malleus bone landmarks. The cone of light is located inferointernal in the right ear and superointernal in the left. Abnormal findings include erythema, bulging (as in acute otitis media), retraction, perforation, or fluid accumulation behind the membrane. These conditions indicate infections, perforations, or effusions.

Examination of the Thyroid Gland

Anterior Method

The patient is asked to lie or sit with neck slightly extended. The examiner stands in front of the patient, palpates the thyroid lobes by placing finger pads just below the cricoid cartilage, and asks the patient to swallow. The thyroid is felt for size, shape, consistency, and any nodules or tenderness.

Posterior Method

The patient leans forward slightly with neck extended. The examiner stands behind the patient, places fingers on the thyroid lobes, and asks the patient to swallow. This approach provides better assessment of the lobes and is especially useful if enlarged or abnormal structures are suspected.

SOAP Notes

Patient 1: Tympanic Membrane

Subjective: "My right ear has been feeling full and I have muffled hearing for a week."

Objective: Otoscopic exam reveals dull, bulging right tympanic membrane with erythema. Left ear normal.

Assessment: Acute otitis media. NANDA diagnosis: "Impaired comfort related to ear pain."

Plan: Prescribe analgesics, review otic antibiotic if necessary, advise warm compresses, schedule follow-up in 7 days, and educate on preventing ear infections.

Patient 2: Thyroid Gland

Subjective: "I've been feeling anxious, have lost weight, and often feel my heart racing."

Objective: Palpation reveals a enlarged, firm, tender thyroid with palpable nodules. No lymphadenopathy.

Assessment: Graves' disease. Medical diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. NANDA diagnosis: "Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to increased metabolic rate."

Plan: Order thyroid function tests (T3, T4, TSH), initiate antithyroid medication, educate patient on symptoms, and schedule endocrinology referral.

Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests

For the tympanic membrane, audiometry and tympanometry are used. Normal audiometry shows hearing thresholds within 0-25 dB. Tympanometry assesses middle ear function, with normal Peak Air Pressure (between -100 to +50 daPa) and compliance (0.3 to 1.5 mL).

In thyroid assessment, TSH levels are typically within 0.4-4.0 mIU/L. Elevated or suppressed levels suggest hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, respectively. Radioactive iodine uptake tests evaluate thyroid activity, with normal uptake values around 15-25% at 24 hours.

Conclusion

Comprehensive assessment of the tympanic membrane and the thyroid gland involves understanding normal and abnormal findings, proper examination techniques, and appropriate interpretation of diagnostic tests. Using SOAP notes to document clinical encounters ensures structured, effective communication among healthcare providers, ultimately enhancing patient care outcomes.

References

  • American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. (2018). Otoscopic examination techniques. Otolaryngology Clinical Practice.
  • Biller, B. M. K., & Pearce, S. H. (2019). The thyroid gland. In K. D. B. Humayun (Ed.), Endocrinology and Metabolism (pp. 102-115). Elsevier.
  • Cummings, C. W., Fredrickson, J. M., & Harker, L. A. (2020). Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery (7th ed.). Elsevier.
  • Gordon, D., & Kelly, K. (2021). Diagnostic tests in thyroid disease. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 106(5), 1437-1445.
  • Johnson, J. E., & Wise, M. P. (2017). Examination of the head and neck. In S. M. Carter (Ed.), Physical Examination and Health Assessment (pp. 256-278). Elsevier.
  • Liston, S. L., & William, P. (2020). Thyroid assessment techniques. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(12), 3704-3709.
  • Moore, K. L., & Dalley, A. F. (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
  • National Institute of Health. (2021). Thyroid function tests. https://www.nih.gov/health-information/thyroid-function-tests
  • Rhee, S., & Yoon, J. (2019). Middle ear assessment and management. Clinics in Otolaryngology, 44(2), 234-241.
  • Whitney, D. (2022). Otoscopy and tympanometry. Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 61(4), 15-23.

Related Assignments