Assessing the Ears
A whispered voice test includes which of the following? A. Having the patient wiggle a finger in the opposite ear. B. Whispering while standing 1 to 2 feet from the patient's ear. C. Playing soothing music in the examination room. D. Both A and B.
Having the patient wiggle a finger in the opposite ear AND Whispering while standing 1 to 2 feet from the patient's ear. Rationale: Having the patient wiggle a finger in opposite ear ensures that patient is hearing the whisper in the ear being tested. A whispered voice test is performed while standing 1 to 2 feet from the patient's ear. Music can be a distraction or interference with a whispered voice test.
Assessment of the ears includes which of the following? A. Inspection B. Palpation C. Examination with an otoscope D. All of the above
Inspection Palpation Examination with an otoscope Rationale: All of the above are part of a thorough ear assessment. Inspection, palpation, and an examination with an otoscope are all part of a thorough ear assessment.
The Rinne and Weber tests measure which of the following? A. Air and bone conduction B. Movement of the tympanic membrane C. Tenderness of the mastoid area D. Nodules in the auricles
Air and bone conduction Rationale: A vibrating tuning fork is used to measure air and bone conduction. Movement of the tympanic membrane, tenderness of the mastoid area, and nodules in the auricles are not measured by the Rinne or Weber test.
Which of the following methods is correct for examining the ear of an adult patient with an otoscope? A. Gently pull the auricle up and back. B. Gently pull the auricle down and back. C. Use the largest speculum that will fit comfortably in the patient's ear. D. Both A and C.
Gently pull the auricle up and back AND Use the largest speculum that will fit comfortably in the patient's ear. Rationale: Gently pulling the auricle up and back in the adult will straighten the auditory canal. Using the largest speculum that will fit comfortably is part of the otoscopic examination. Gently pulling the auricle down and back is the correct procedure for examining a child.
A nurse is inspecting the patient's ears with an otoscope. Which of the following findings would be considered abnormal? A. Visible cone of light B. Pearly gray tympanic membrane C. Perforation of the tympanic membrane D. Small amount of cerumen
Perforation of the tympanic membrane Rationale: The tympanic membrane should not have any perforations. A visible cone of light is a normal finding in an otoscopic examination. The tympanic membrane should appear pearly gray. A small amount of cerumen is a normal finding in an otoscopic examination.
