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
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 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is discussing the results of a patients diagnostic testing with the nurse practitioner. What Weber test result would indicate the presence of a sensorineural loss?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In sensorineural hearing loss, the Weber test shows sound lateralizing to the better-hearing ear, as the affected ear has impaired nerve function. Equal hearing or sound in the poorer ear suggests normal hearing or conductive loss.
Question 5 of 5
The advanced practice nurse is attempting to examine the patients ear with an otoscope. Because of impacted cerumen, the tympanic membrane cannot be visualized. The nurse irrigates the patients ear with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water to remove the impacted cerumen. What nursing intervention is most important to minimize nausea and vertigo during the procedure?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Warm irrigation fluid prevents vertigo and nausea, which cold fluid can trigger. Forceful irrigation risks perforation, curettes require special training, and standing is unnecessary.