Question

The nurse practitioner is seeing a patient that complains of a headache since the morning. He is sniffling during the entire exam and states that he has had to blow his nose all morning due to "allergies". He admits that he fell off of his bike the evening before and hit a tree but was wearing a helmet. No other physical injuries are noted. What is a quick test that can be utilized to rule-out a possible cause of his symptoms?

a. C&S of his larynx
b. Transillumination of his sinus cavity
c. Urine dip stick of his nasal discharge
d. CT scan of his head

Answer 1

Transillumination of the sinus cavity is a quick test that can be utilized to help rule out a sinus-related cause of a patient's headache and sniffling symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient complains of a headache since the morning, is sniffling, and has been blowing their nose all morning due to "allergies". They also had a fall the previous evening but were wearing a helmet. Given this information, a quick test to help rule out a sinus-related cause of symptoms would be transillumination of his sinus cavity. This non-invasive procedure can help identify sinus blockages which may be contributing to the headache and nasal congestion. In contrast, a CT scan, while comprehensive, is not typically a first-line quick test because it is more expensive, involves radiation exposure, and would usually be reserved for more serious concerns or if initial testing does not provide answers. Urine dipstick of nasal discharge is not a relevant test, and culture and sensitivity (C&S) of the larynx would not be indicated in this case without symptoms of a laryngeal infection.