Common Conditions of the Nose (NURS 620)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering common conditions of the nose such as various forms of rhinitis, sinusitis diagnostic criteria, treatments, and associated physical exam findings.

Allergic shiners

Dark circles under the eyes often seen in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Dennie-Morgan lines

Wrinkles under the lower eyelid associated with allergic rhinitis.

Allergic salute

Repeated upward wiping of the nose that leads to a nasal crease.

Vasomotor Rhinitis

A form of nonallergic rhinitis triggered by environmental factors like strong smells, changes in weather, temperature, humidity, or barometric pressure, characterized by an absence of pruritus.

Gustatory Rhinitis

Acute, rapid nasal congestion with clear rhinorrhea triggered by spicy foods, pepper, and alcohol.

Nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES)

Condition featuring congestion and clear rhinorrhea where nasal cytology reveals increased eosinophils, but allergy testing is negative.

Senile/Geriatric Rhinitis

Watery rhinorrhea in older adults triggered by food, odors, and other environmental irritants.

Atrophic Rhinitis

Condition characterized by nasal crusting, dryness, and mucosal atrophy, most commonly caused by the bacteria Klebsiella ozaenae.

AVRS

Acute Viral Rhinosinusitis; inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity caused by viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, or adenovirus.

ABRS

Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis; often preceded by a viral URI, common causative organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.

Cardinal Symptoms of ABRS

According to 2015 guidelines, the three symptoms are purulent nasal drainage, facial or dental pain, and nasal obstruction, present for at least 10 days.

CT without contrast

The gold standard imaging for diagnosing sinusitis, though silver (sinus) films are generally not recommended.

High-dose Augmentin

A dosage of $2000\,mg/125\,mg$ BID for 10 days used if there is treatment failure or high risk factors for resistance in ABRS.

Recurrent Sinusitis

Defined as occurring more than 4 times within a 12-month period.

Chronic Sinusitis

Sinusitis symptoms that persist for over 12 weeks.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak

Salty-tasting unilateral nasal drainage that increases when the patient bends forward; may follow trauma or surgery.

Anterior Epistaxis

Nosebleeds typically caused by nasal mucosa dryness or trauma; treated with firm pressure superior to nasal cartilage, packing, or cautery.

Doxycycline

A treatment option for ABRS in patients with a penicillin (PCN) allergy, dosed at $100\,mg$ BID or $200\,mg$ QD for 10 days.

Amoxicillin

First-line antibiotic for ABRS if no resistance is suspected, dosed at $500\,mg$ TID or $1\,gm$ PO BID for 10 days.

Nasal polyps

Gray/yellow translucent masses in the nose that can cause obstruction and anosmia; often associated with asthma and aspirin allergy.

Saddle-nose deformity

External nasal collapse associated with systemic/inflammatory causes like Wegener's granulomatosis or sarcoidosis.

Rebound nasal congestion

Obstruction caused by the prolonged use of topical nasal decongestants.

Cobblestoning

An objective finding in the posterior pharynx characterizing allergic rhinitis.