● Lymph Node Objective Assessment:
○ Inspect/Palpate range of motion, symmetry, trachea midline, no swelling
○ In adults, nodes are only palpable in these areas - head, neck, arms, axilla,
inguinal regions
■ Adult sized at 6 years old
○ Palpable in children, not adults
■ In adults only palpable when affected
■ In children, palpable either way
○ When lymph nodes are enlarged, you want to check the source.
■ Ex: posterior auricular (behind ear) - check proximal area such as ear for
infection, submental (under chin) - check mouth for cold sore, etc.
■ If no source and enlarged, notify provider - possible disease process
■ Lymphadenopathy: enlargement of lymph nodes greater than 1 cm
○ Order of assessment:
■ Preauricular
■ Posterior auricular
■ Occipital
■ Submental
■ Submandibular
■ Jugulodigastric (under ear)
■ Superficial cervical (down neck, under jugulo)
■ Deep cervical chain (running down neck)
■ Posterior cervical (behind deep cervical)
■ Supraclavicular
○ Findings: lymphs should be soft and non tender
● Thyroid Objective Assessment:
○ Thyroid should move up with swallow and then fall - supply pt with water
○ Anterior and posterior palpation
■ Posterior palpation: stand behind patient, turn head slightly, upright, feel
○ In pregnant women, thyroid gland may be enlarged but otherwise it is an
abnormal finding along with enlarged cervical lymph glands
○ Thyroid effects energy levels
○ Inspect/Palpate range of motion, symmetry, trachea midline, no swelling
○ In adults, nodes are only palpable in these areas - head, neck, arms, axilla,
inguinal regions
■ Adult sized at 6 years old
○ Palpable in children, not adults
■ In adults only palpable when affected
■ In children, palpable either way
○ When lymph nodes are enlarged, you want to check the source.
■ Ex: posterior auricular (behind ear) - check proximal area such as ear for
infection, submental (under chin) - check mouth for cold sore, etc.
■ If no source and enlarged, notify provider - possible disease process
■ Lymphadenopathy: enlargement of lymph nodes greater than 1 cm
○ Order of assessment:
■ Preauricular
■ Posterior auricular
■ Occipital
■ Submental
■ Submandibular
■ Jugulodigastric (under ear)
■ Superficial cervical (down neck, under jugulo)
■ Deep cervical chain (running down neck)
■ Posterior cervical (behind deep cervical)
■ Supraclavicular
○ Findings: lymphs should be soft and non tender
● Thyroid Objective Assessment:
○ Thyroid should move up with swallow and then fall - supply pt with water
○ Anterior and posterior palpation
■ Posterior palpation: stand behind patient, turn head slightly, upright, feel
○ In pregnant women, thyroid gland may be enlarged but otherwise it is an
abnormal finding along with enlarged cervical lymph glands
○ Thyroid effects energy levels
