HEENT Questions to Ask Patient
Conduct thorough HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat) assessments with these essential questions that help identify symptoms, diagnose conditions, and provide comprehensive patient care.
1Are you experiencing any headaches? If so, where are they located and how would you describe them?
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Are you experiencing any headaches? If so, where are they located and how would you describe them?
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Why this works
Helps identify potential neurological issues, migraines, or tension headaches and their severity and location.
2Have you noticed any changes in your vision, such as blurriness, double vision, or blind spots?
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Have you noticed any changes in your vision, such as blurriness, double vision, or blind spots?
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Why this works
Reveals potential eye problems, neurological issues, or systemic conditions affecting vision.
3Do you have any eye pain, redness, discharge, or sensitivity to light?
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Do you have any eye pain, redness, discharge, or sensitivity to light?
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Why this works
Identifies potential infections, inflammation, or other acute eye conditions requiring treatment.
4Have you experienced any hearing loss or ringing in your ears?
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Have you experienced any hearing loss or ringing in your ears?
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Why this works
Reveals potential ear problems, hearing loss, or tinnitus that may require further evaluation.
5Do you have any ear pain, discharge, or feeling of fullness in your ears?
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Do you have any ear pain, discharge, or feeling of fullness in your ears?
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Why this works
Identifies potential ear infections, wax buildup, or other ear conditions.
6Are you having any difficulty with balance or dizziness?
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Are you having any difficulty with balance or dizziness?
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Why this works
Reveals potential inner ear problems or neurological issues affecting balance and coordination.
7Do you have any nasal congestion, discharge, or difficulty breathing through your nose?
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Do you have any nasal congestion, discharge, or difficulty breathing through your nose?
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Why this works
Identifies potential sinus issues, allergies, or structural problems affecting nasal passages.
8Have you had any nosebleeds recently? If so, how frequent and severe are they?
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Have you had any nosebleeds recently? If so, how frequent and severe are they?
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Why this works
Reveals potential bleeding disorders, nasal trauma, or other conditions causing epistaxis.
9Do you have any sinus pain or pressure, especially in your forehead or cheeks?
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Do you have any sinus pain or pressure, especially in your forehead or cheeks?
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Why this works
Identifies potential sinusitis or other sinus-related conditions requiring treatment.
10Are you experiencing any sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or pain when swallowing?
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Are you experiencing any sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or pain when swallowing?
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Why this works
Reveals potential throat infections, inflammation, or structural issues affecting swallowing.
11Have you noticed any hoarseness or changes in your voice?
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Have you noticed any hoarseness or changes in your voice?
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Why this works
Identifies potential laryngeal problems, vocal cord issues, or other conditions affecting voice quality.
12Do you have any swollen glands in your neck or jaw area?
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Do you have any swollen glands in your neck or jaw area?
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Why this works
Reveals potential infections, lymphadenopathy, or other conditions causing swelling.
13Have you noticed any lumps or masses in your neck or throat?
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Have you noticed any lumps or masses in your neck or throat?
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Why this works
Identifies potential tumors, cysts, or other abnormal growths requiring further evaluation.
14Do you have any dental problems, mouth sores, or changes in taste?
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Do you have any dental problems, mouth sores, or changes in taste?
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Why this works
Reveals potential oral health issues, infections, or systemic conditions affecting taste.
15Are you experiencing any jaw pain or difficulty opening your mouth?
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Are you experiencing any jaw pain or difficulty opening your mouth?
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Why this works
Identifies potential TMJ disorders, dental problems, or other jaw-related issues.
16Have you had any recent head trauma or injuries?
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Have you had any recent head trauma or injuries?
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Why this works
Reveals potential concussions, fractures, or other traumatic injuries requiring evaluation.
17Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? When was your last eye exam?
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Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? When was your last eye exam?
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Why this works
Establishes baseline vision correction and when their prescription was last updated.
18Have you had any recent dental work or oral surgery?
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Have you had any recent dental work or oral surgery?
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Why this works
Identifies potential complications from dental procedures or healing issues.
19Do you use hearing aids? If so, are they working properly?
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Do you use hearing aids? If so, are they working properly?
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Why this works
Establishes their current hearing assistance and whether adjustments are needed.
20Are you taking any medications for your head, eyes, ears, nose, or throat?
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Are you taking any medications for your head, eyes, ears, nose, or throat?
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Why this works
Reveals current treatments and helps avoid drug interactions or duplicate therapies.
Best Practices for HEENT Assessment
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Follow a Systematic Approach
Work through each area of the HEENT exam systematically to ensure nothing is missed and maintain consistency across patients.
Use Open-Ended Questions
Start with open questions to let patients describe symptoms in their own words, then follow up with specific questions to clarify.
Document Thoroughly
Record all findings, symptoms, and patient responses carefully for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Question Sequences
The Head and Eyes Assessment Sequence
The Ears and Balance Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Rush the Assessment
Take time to explore each symptom thoroughly. Rushing can lead to missed diagnoses or incomplete information.
Don't Use Medical Jargon
Use language the patient can understand. If you must use medical terms, explain them in plain language.
Don't Skip the Physical Exam
Questions alone aren't sufficient. Always perform a thorough physical examination to confirm findings.