When assessing the sinuses, where should the clinician palpate for discomfort?

The correct focus of assessment for sinus discomfort is in the frontal and maxillary facial areas. This approach is based on the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses, which include the frontal sinuses located in the forehead region and the maxillary sinuses situated in the cheekbones. When a clinician palpates these specific areas, they can gauge the presence of tenderness or discomfort that may suggest sinusitis or other sinus-related conditions.

Palpating these areas enables the clinician to specifically identify issues associated with inflammation, infection, or congestion in the frontal and maxillary sinuses, which are the most commonly affected sinuses in conditions such as sinusitis. This targeted assessment provides essential information about the patient's sinus health and guides further evaluation or treatment decisions.