heent examination heent examination a heent examination is a portion of a physical examination that principally concerns the head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat. steps ippa inspection of scars or skin changes palpation of temporomandibular joint, thyroid, and lymph nodes percussion may involve the skin above the frontal sinuses and paranasal sinuses to detect any signs of pain auscultation for carotid bruits tests specific to heent examination eyes: eye examination and acuity (including ophthalmoscope) ears: hearing examination and evaluation of tympanic membrane (tm) (otoscope used in evaluation of ears, nose, and mouth) a neurological examination is usually considered separate from the heent evaluation, although there can be some overlap in some cases. sample write-up category item sample text head "nc/at" or "normocephalic, atraumatic" eyes ophthalmoscope "eom intact, perrla, anicteric, no injection, fundus wnl (within normal limits), no papilledema" ears otoscope "tm intact, noninflamed" nose otoscope "no congestion" throat otoscope "oropharynx wnl" or "no erythema or exudate" mouth otoscope "moist mucous membranes, no thrush, no vesicles, no lesions, good dentition" neck "no lad, thyroid wnl, neck supple" (jvd and bruit may be reported here or in cv)