A nurse is assessing a patient with a complaint of cold and sinus pain. Which sinuses would the nurse palpate?

A. Ethmoid: The ethmoid sinuses are located between the eyes and are not typically accessible for palpation during a physical examination. Instead, tenderness in this area is assessed through inspection and indirect methods rather than direct palpation. B. Maxillary: The maxillary sinuses are located in the cheeks and are accessible for palpation. The nurse can assess for tenderness or swelling in this area, which can indicate sinusitis or infection. Palpating the maxillary sinuses is a standard part of the examination for patients with cold and sinus pain. C. Mastoid: The mastoid process is located behind the ear and contains air cells, but it is not directly involved in sinus pain associated with cold symptoms. While mastoid tenderness may indicate a different type of infection (such as mastoiditis), it is not part of the sinus assessment. D. Sphenoid: The sphenoid sinuses are located deep within the skull, behind the nasal cavity, and are not accessible for palpation during a physical examination. Any issues with the sphenoid sinuses would typically be assessed through imaging studies rather than physical palpation.