Ear, nose and throat assessment: history-taking and examination of the nose

Nasal symptoms are common presentations in primary and secondary care, requiring health professionals to undertake systematic assessment and apply clinical reasoning to distinguish benign conditions from serious pathology. This article outlines the anatomy and physiology of the nose, followed by a structured, evidence-based approach to patient identification, history-taking, clinical examination, investigation and treatment. By integrating anatomical knowledge with critical evaluation and patient-centred assessment, practitioners can enhance diagnostic precision, support antimicrobial stewardship and ensure timely referral, where necessary. This article is the second in a series on ENT assessment, following an earlier article on history taking and examination of the ear ( Alsararatee, 2026 ).