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Skull and Facial Assessment Guidelines

The document provides instructions for assessing the skull and face by inspecting and palpating for abnormalities. Key steps include verifying patient identity, obtaining history, inspecting for symmetry and abnormalities of the skull, facial features, eyes and facial movements. Deviations from normal such as masses, edema or asymmetric features should be documented and reported to primary care providers.

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Abigail Brillantes
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564 views1 page

Skull and Facial Assessment Guidelines

The document provides instructions for assessing the skull and face by inspecting and palpating for abnormalities. Key steps include verifying patient identity, obtaining history, inspecting for symmetry and abnormalities of the skull, facial features, eyes and facial movements. Deviations from normal such as masses, edema or asymmetric features should be documented and reported to primary care providers.

Uploaded by

Abigail Brillantes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ASSESSING THE SKULL AND FACE

Performance:
1. Prior to performing the procedure, introduce self and verify the client’s identity using agency
protocol. Explain to the client what you are going to do, why it is necessary, and how he or she
can cooperate. Discuss how the results will be used in planning further care or treatments.
2. Perform hand hygiene and observe appropriate infection control procedures.
3. Provide for client privacy.
4. Inquire if the client has any history of the following: past problem with lumps or bumps, itching,
scaling, or dandruff; history of loss of consciousness, dizziness, seizures, headache, facial pain,
or injury ; when and how any lumps occurred; length of time any other problem existed; any
known cause of problem; associated symptoms, treatment, and recurrences.
Assessment Normal Findings Deviations from Normal
5. Inspect the skull for size, Rounded(normocephalic Lack of symmetry; increased
shape, and symmetry. and symmetric, with skull size with more
frontal, parietal, and prominent nose and
occipital prominences); forehead; longer mandible
smooth skull contour (may indicate excessive
growth hormone or increased
bone thickness)

6. Palpate the skull for nodules Smooth, uniform Sebaceous cysts; local
or masses and depressions. consistency; absence of deformities from trauma;
Use a gentle rotating motion nodules or masses. masses, nodules
with the fingertips. Begin at
the front and palpate down
the midline, then palpate each
side of the head.
7. Inspect the facial features(e.g., Symmetric or slightly Increased facial hair; thinning
symmetry of structures and of asymmetric facial features; of eyebrows; asymmetric
the distribution of hair). palpebral fissures equal in features; exophthalmos;
size; symmetric nasolabial myxedema facies; moon face
folds

8. Inspect the eyes for edema or Periorbital edema; sunken


hollowness. eyes
9. Note symmetry of facial Symmetric facial Asymmetric facial
movements. Ask the client to movements movements(e.g., eye on
elevate the eyebrows, frown, affected side cannot close
or lower the eyebrows, close completely); drooping of
the eyes tightly, puff the lower eyelid and mouth;
cheeks, and smile and show involuntary facial movements
the teeth. (i.e., tics or tremors)
10. Document findings in the
client record using forms or
checklist supplemented by
narrative notes when
appropriate.
Evaluation
-Perform a detailed follow-up examination of other systems based on findings that deviated from
expected or normal for the client. Relate findings to previous assessment data if available.
-Report significant deviations from normal to the primary care provider.

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