ATI LPN
Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017)
Chapter 64 : Assessment and Management of Patients with Hearing and Balance Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient has undergone diagnostic testing and has been diagnosed with otosclerosis? What ear structure is primarily affected by this diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Otosclerosis causes abnormal bone growth around the stapes, fixing it and impairing sound conduction. Other ear structures are not primarily affected.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with otosclerosis has significant hearing loss. What should the nurse do to best facilitate communication with the patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Standing in front allows the patient to see facial expressions and potentially lip-read, aiding communication. Exaggerated movements distort speech, backlighting causes glare, and shouting may not help.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse in the ED is caring for a 4 year-old brought in by his parents who state that the child will not stop crying and pulling at his ear. Based on information collected by the nurse, which of the following statements applies to a diagnosis of external otitis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aural tenderness is a key feature of otitis externa due to canal inflammation. High fever and upper respiratory infections are more typical of otitis media, and cotton-tipped applicators can cause otitis externa.
Question 4 of 5
A patient diagnosed with arthritis has been taking aspirin and now reports experiencing tinnitus and hearing loss. What should the nurse teach this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin-induced ototoxicity, causing tinnitus and hearing loss, is typically reversible upon discontinuation. It is directly related to aspirin, not multifactorial, and tolerance does not resolve it.
Question 5 of 5
A patient is postoperative day 6 following tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy. The patient has phoned the surgical unit and states that she is experiencing occasional sharp, shooting pains in her affected ear. How should the nurse best interpret this patients complaint?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sharp, shooting pains are normal post-tympanoplasty/mastoidectomy as the eustachian tube adjusts, typically resolving in 2-3 weeks. Infection would involve constant pain and fever, and there's no evidence of rupture or surgical failure.