Chap. Ear assessment

The nurse reviews the findings from a physical exam done on a client for ear or hearing disorders and notes documentation that the client has hyperacusis. Which would the nurse expect to note on assessment of the client? 1.Complaints of ringing in the ear 2.An excessive amount of cerumen in the ear canal 3.Intolerance for sound levels that do not bother other people 4.Complaints of dizziness and sensations of being "off balance"

1.Complaints of ringing in the ear

normal appearance of tympanic membrane

pearly grey appearance.

presbycusis

sensoral hearing loss that occurs with aging.

Changes that happen during aging? select all that apply age related hearing loss begins at 40 y/o the progression is slow the aging person has low frequency hearing loss first may find it more difficult to hear consonants than vowels sounds may be garbled and difficult to localize hearing loss resembles nerve degeneration in middle ear

the progression is slow may find it more difficult to hear consonants than vowels sounds may be garbled and difficult to localize hearing loss usually begins 50 y/o

A client diagnosed with conductive hearing loss asks the nurse to explain the cause of the hearing problem. The nurse plans to explain to the client that this condition is caused by which problem? 1.A defect in the cochlea 2.A defect in cranial nerve VIII 3.A physical obstruction to the transmission of sound waves 4.A defect in the sensory fibers that lead to the cerebral cortex

3.A physical obstruction to the transmission of sound waves

possible cause of serous drainage of ear?

CSF

Conductive vs sensorineural hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss - hearing loss of the outer ear; sensorineural hearing loss - hearing loss of the inner ear

A client visits a community clinic reporting severe allergies causing a "crackling sensation" in the ear. The physician diagnoses serous otitis media. Which of the following is a characteristic of this condition? This condition develops if acute purulent otitis media is not treated promptly. Fluid collects in the middle ear causing an obstruction of the auditory tube. This condition is usually associated with a puncture eardrum. An upper respiratory infection spreads through the auditory tube.

Fluid collects in the middle ear causing an obstruction of the auditory tube.

A patient comes to the clinic and reports pain when he touches his ear. With what is this finding most consistent? Acoustic neuroma Meniere disease Otitis externa Otitis media

Otitis externa

While performing an otoscopic examination of a client's ear, the nurse finds white patches on the tympanic membrane. How would the nurse note this finding in the chart? Tympanic membrane abnormal; white, patchy areas noted. Tympanic membrane visualized with areas of sclerosis noted. Tympanic membrane scarred, indicating loss of hearing. Tympanic membrane within normal limits.

Tympanic membrane visualized with areas of sclerosis noted.

The nurse conducting a health screening is performing hearing assessments on clients. Senior nursing students are assisting the nurse with the assessments. The nurse instructs the students to perform a voice test by taking which action? 1.Whisper a statement while the client blocks both ears. 2.Quietly whisper a statement and test both ears at the same time. 3.Whisper a statement with the examiner's back to the client. 4.Stand 1 to 2 ft (30 to 60 cm) away from the client and ask the client to block 1 external ear canal

To perform a voice test, the examiner stands 1 to 2 ft (30 to 60 cm) away from the client and asks the client to block 1 external ear canal. The nurse quietly whispers a statement and asks the client to repeat it. Each ear is tested separately. The client is not asked to block both ears, and the examiner should face the client during the test.

When planning care for a client with an inner ear infection, the nurse will need to include interventions for which of the following potential problems? Fever Headache Rhinorrhea Vertigo

Vertigo

A patient calls the clinic and tells the nurse that the doctor told her that she has "otalgia." The patient cannot remember what the doctor explained this to be. How would the nurse most appropriately respond?

dysfunction of the ear, NOT pain in the ear Otalgia usually indicates ear dysfunction, most commonly otitis media or otitis externa. Pain in the ear can be referred from the pharynx. It is not uncommon for a patient recovering from tonsil surgery to complain of ear pain. Severe pain followed by relief and drainage indicates a ruptured TM.

A nurse is educating a client about the function of the parts of the auditory system. Which is the function of the eustachian tube?

equalizes pressure