ENT
2 week wait referral criteria

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To learn the ENT 2 week wait criteria.
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Please get into groups for my fun quiz!

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Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria?
An unexplained lump in the neck, of recent onset, or previously undiagnosed lump that has changed over a period of 3 to 6 weeks.

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Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria?
Chronic halitosis for greater than 3 months with unknown cause.

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Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria?
Unilateral unexplained pain in the head/neck area for more than 3 weeks, associated with otalgia but normal otoscopy.

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Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria?
An unexplained persistent sore or painful throat.

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Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria?
Unexplained painless red or white patches of the oral mucosa.

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Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria?
Unexplained tooth mobility persisting for more than 3 weeks.

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Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria?
Unilateral anosmia persisting for more than 3 weeks.

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Hoarseness persisting for more than 3 weeks should be referred via the 2 week wait.
What else should you do?

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Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria?
Unilateral tinnitus associated with deafness.

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1. An unexplained lump in the neck, of recent onset, or previously undiagnosed lump that has changed over a period of 3 to 6 weeks.
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True

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2. Chronic halitosis for greater than 3 months with unknown cause.
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False

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3. Unilateral unexplained pain in the head/neck area for more than 3 weeks, associated with otalgia but normal otoscopy.
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False

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4. An unexplained persistent sore or painful throat.
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True
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What is meant by persistent?

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5. Unexplained painless red or white patches of the oral mucosa.
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False
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2ww referral if the patches are painful, swollen or bleeding, otherwise refer nonurgently.

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6. Unexplained tooth mobility persisting for more than 3 weeks.
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True
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Refer urgently to a dentist.

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7. Unilateral anosmia persisting for more than 3 weeks.
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False

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8. Hoarseness persisting for more than 3 weeks should be referred via 2 week wait.
What else should you do?
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9. Unilateral tinnitus associated with deafness.
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False

Head and neck cancer
2 week wait guidelines:
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An unexplained lump in the neck, of recent onset, or previously undiagnosed lump that has changed over a period of 3 to 6 weeks.
An unexplained persistent swelling in the parotid or submandibular gland.
An unexplained persistent sore or painful throat.
Unilateral unexplained pain in the head and neck area for more than 4 weeks, associated with otalgia but a normal otoscopy.

Head and neck cancer
2 week wait guidelines:
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Unexplained ulceration of the oral mucosa or mass persisting for more than 3 weeks.
Unexplained red and white patches of the oral mucosa that are painful, swollen or bleeding.
Hoarseness persisting for more than 3 weeks.
These patients should be referred urgently for a chest x-ray.
Refer urgently to a dentist if unexplained tooth mobility persisting for more than 3 weeks.