A nurse should ask about tenderness after palpating the supraorbital ridge during a sinus assessment.

Title: After You Press the Supraorbital Ridge: The Simple, Smart Step in Sinus Assessment

Let’s talk about a tiny moment in a bigger nursing routine—the moment you press along the supraorbital ridge during a sinus check. It sounds minor, but that touch is a clue. In nursing, little cues can shape what you do next, who you call for help, and how you explain things to a patient who’s worried about facial pain.

Here’s the thing about the question many students encounter:

What action should a nurse take after pressing on the supraorbital ridge during a sinus assessment?

• A. Position fingers next to the ears

• B. Ask the client if they experience any tenderness or pain

• C. Check for facial symmetry

• D. Observe the client’s breathing pattern

The correct answer is B: ask the client if they experience any tenderness or pain. Let me explain why this small move matters so much.

Why tenderness is the star cue here

Think of the supraorbital ridge as the doorway to the frontal sinuses. When a clinician palpates that area, they’re not just looking for a lump—they’re listening for pain signals. Tenderness or discomfort reported by the patient helps you gauge whether an inflammatory process is at play, such as frontal sinusitis. If the patient says “yes, that’s tender,” you’ve got a direct, meaningful data point that guides your next steps. It’s about patient-centered care: you’re inviting the patient to share their experience, and you’re using that information to tailor the plan.

That gentle question also fits neatly into the clinical timeline. In many frameworks, you start with a focused palpation to localize tenderness, then you confirm with patient feedback, and only after that do you consider further tests or interventions. It’s a logical rhythm: touch, listen, decide.

Why the other options aren’t the immediate move

• A. Position fingers next to the ears: This is more about evaluating the maxillary sinuses, which are located a bit lower and lateral to the nose. It’s not the immediate next step after the supraorbital palpation. It’s a complementary maneuver that might come later if you’re mapping multiple sinus regions, but it doesn’t answer the tenderness question right away.

• C. Check for facial symmetry: Facial symmetry is valuable for neurological checks or when you’re looking for signs of a broader infection or trauma. It’s not the direct read you get from a frontal sinus palpation. So while symmetry matters in a broader assessment, it doesn’t replace the tenderness question here.

• D. Observe the client’s breathing pattern: Breathing gives you respiratory status, which is important, but it doesn’t tell you about sinus tenderness. It’s a separate track of assessment. Again, it’s useful, just not the next step tied to the supraorbital palpation.

What a practical sinus-check looks like in real life

If you’re guiding a sinus assessment in a patient, here’s a simple, practical flow you can picture in your mind:

• Begin with gentle, controlled palpation along the supraorbital ridge—just above the eye socket. Use the pad of your fingertip and apply light pressure at first to map tenderness.

• Pause and ask: “Is this area tender or painful for you?”

• Listen closely to the patient’s words and watch facial expressions. A grimace, a wince, or a sigh can all signal that the discomfort is significant to them.

• If tenderness is reported, document the location and intensity. You might ask where the pain radiates, whether it worsens with bending or pressure, and if other symptoms accompany it (like congestion or fever).

• Depending on the scene, decide what comes next: more sinuses to examine, a plan to monitor, or a note to involve a physician if red flags appear.

This sequence keeps the patient involved and makes your observations precise. It’s not just about “finding pain” but about chronicling it in a way that other clinicians can understand quickly.

How this step fits into the bigger picture of ATI-style assessment

In a standard clinical assessment framework—what many nursing students study within the ATI physical assessment lens—the focus on patient-reported tenderness is a classic example of converting touch into dialogue. The goal isn’t to hammer in a single finding; it’s to gather actionable information that informs care.

A few ways this single question becomes more powerful:

• It anchors communication: By asking directly, you validate the patient’s experience. That builds trust and helps you collect reliable data.

• It narrows the diagnostic path: Tenderness can point toward frontal sinusitis, which then guides questions about duration, fever, or nasal discharge.

• It keeps the plan patient-centered: You’re not just pressing and moving on—you’re listening and integrating the patient’s response into the care plan.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Treating palpation as a ritual only. The real value comes from the patient’s feedback—tenderness is the clue you’re looking for.

• Skipping the patient’s own narrative. If the patient says the area hurts with pressure, note the intensity and timing. A quick “not tender” can be just as informative when documented clearly.

• Overlooking related symptoms. If tenderness is present, you still want to ask about nasal discharge, facial fullness, fever, and headaches. These details help paint the full clinical picture.

Real-world tips for nurses in training

• Use plain language: “Does this hurt?” is often clearer than clinical jargon. You want patients to feel comfortable answering honestly.

• Watch for nonverbal cues: A patient might say “no” but squint or flinch. Note both verbal and nonverbal messages.

• Document precisely: Location, quality, intensity, and timing of pain all matter. A simple note like “tenderness to frontal sinus palpation” can save time later.

• Practice with a partner: Have a classmate simulate a patient. Practice the exact wording and pace, so you’re smooth in real life.

A quick note on patient experience

Sinus discomfort can nag at a patient all day. Pain around the forehead or between the eyes isn’t just a symptom; it affects mood, concentration, even the ability to sleep. A nurse who asks about tenderness and sincerely listens can make a tough moment a little easier. Small moments of empathy—paired with solid technique—add up in patient care.

Connecting the dots: anatomy meets bedside assessment

For a moment, picture the anatomy: frontal sinuses behind the forehead, the supraorbital ridge tracing the top of the eye socket. When pressure lands there, the body may respond with pain if the sinus lining is irritated or infected. That’s the bridge between a physical touch and a meaningful finding. It’s simple, but it’s exactly what clinicians rely on to decide whether more testing, treatment, or observation is needed.

Putting it all together

If you’re studying ATI-related material or just brushing up on practical skills, remember the core takeaway: after pressing on the supraorbital ridge during a sinus assessment, the best next move is to ask about tenderness or pain. This patient-reported information is your compass. It helps differentiate ideas like sinusitis from other facial concerns and shapes your subsequent questions, tests, and actions.

A little practical cadence you can carry forward

• Start with a calm, reassuring approach. A patient who feels at ease shares more accurate information.

• Palpate with purpose, then pause for a direct question.

• Listen, document, and connect that feedback to the broader clinical picture.

• If tenderness is present, follow up with targeted questions about accompanying symptoms and red flags.

• Always loop back to the patient’s experience when you plan care or discuss next steps with teammates.

In the end, that single question—“Is this tender for you?”—is more powerful than it might seem. It’s the hinge that connects careful touch to meaningful insight, guiding you through the nuances of frontal sinus assessment with confidence and care.

If you’re curious to keep exploring how this fits into the broader toolkit of ATI physical assessment, you’ll find more real-world scenarios where careful palpation and patient dialogue steer the course of care. And remember, the best clinicians blend solid technique with genuine communication, creating care that’s both effective and compassionate.