Chapter 39: Nursing Care of the Child With an Alteration in Sensory Perception/Disorder of the Eyes or Ears

that there is no fluid buildup in the middle ear

The tympanic membrane reacting to a puff of air is a sign of what?

s a form of strabismus where the eyes are deviated outward.

Exotropia

the priority is to keep the ear canals dry

Since moisture contributes to external otitis (acute otitis externa or swimmer's ear), what is the priority?

breastfed

The frequency of otitis media is reduced in _______ infants.

"Most cases of ear infection are caused by viruses, not bacteria, so antibiotics do not work. Most ear infections will get better without antibiotics."

The parent of a 4-year-old child with acute otitis media in the right ear asks the nurse "Why won't they treat the infection? When my child was younger and had an ear infection, my child needed antibiotics to get better." How does the nurse best respond?

washing hands frequently

Which information is most important to provide to prevent the spread of infectious conjunctivitis?

The child cries out when the ear is grasped.

Which sign or symptom indicates external otitis (acute otitis externa or swimmer's ear)?

Absence of the red reflex

Which sign or symptom suggests the child has a cataract?

Visine

______ drops should not be used for bacterial conjunctivitis as it does not treat the cause of the infection and can cause rebound redness.

Benzocaine

________drops should be placed in your ear to numb it and reduce pain.

"Introducing fluids slowly reduces the risk of vomiting, which can increase intraocular pressure."

A 4-month-old child underwent cataract surgery 3 hours ago. The parents ask why they are only allowed to give the child small amounts of fluid now. How does the nurse respond?

allergic, infectious or chemical.

Conjunctivitis may be classified into which 3 categories?

"cross-eyed." This is a form of strabismus where eyes are focused inward

Esotropia

farsightedness

Hyperopia

During this procedure, small tubes are inserted into the tympanic membrane.

In children with otitis media, a procedure known as a myringotomy may be performed. Which statement is most accurate regarding this procedure?

the use of hot, moist compresses

Management of the stye includes

nearsightedness, which means that the child can see objects clearly at close range but not at a distance. light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina

Myopia

The eustachian tube in the infant is straighter, shorter and wider than in the adult.

how does the eustachian tube of an infant and young children differ from an adult?

Low birth weight, early gestation age sepsis, high light intensity, and hypothermia.

what are the risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity

Astigmatism

what is caused by unequal curvatures in the cornea that bend the light rays in different directions and produce a blurred image.

The duration and concentration of supplemental oxygen

what is thought to play an important role in the development of retinopathy of prematurity

Black race

which race is a risk factor specifically for visual impairment

S. aureus

which type of bacteria is the most common bacterial cause of conjunctivitis

Assessing the child for asymmetric corneal light reflex is the priority because strabismus may develop in the child with regressed retinopathy of prematurity

The nurse is caring for a 24-month-old boy with regressed retinopathy of prematurity. Which intervention is priority for this child?