Asked by Isaiah Harrison on Jul 29, 2024
Verified
In assessing the tonsils of a 30-year-old, the nurse notices that they are involuted, granular in appearance, and appear to have deep crypts. What is the correct response to these findings?
A) Refer the patient to a throat specialist.
B) No response is needed; this appearance is normal for the tonsils.
C) Continue with the assessment, looking for any other abnormal findings.
D) Obtain a throat culture on the patient for possible streptococcal (strep) infection.
Crypts
Small, pit-like depressions or pockets on the surface of the tonsils, which can collect debris and contribute to tonsil infections.
Involuted Tonsils
Tonsils that have undergone reduction in size or have become less prominent, often due to normal aging or resolved inflammation.
- Display an understanding of the distinction between normal and anomalous findings in evaluations of oral and nasal health.
Verified Answer
LR
Lizbeth RubalcavaAug 01, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
The tonsils are the same color as the surrounding mucous membrane, although they look more granular and their surface shows deep crypts. Tonsillar tissue enlarges during childhood until puberty and then involutes. There is no need to refer the patient to a throat specialist, obtain a throat culture, or look for other abnormal findings because the findings in this question are normal. Although the tonsils look more granular and their surface shows deep crypts, they are the same color as the surrounding mucous membrane and tonsillar tissue enlarges during childhood until puberty and then involutes.
Learning Objectives
- Display an understanding of the distinction between normal and anomalous findings in evaluations of oral and nasal health.