NR 302 EARS PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWER
Chapter 15 –
1. The nurse needs to pull the portion of the ear that consists of movable cartilage and skin down
and back when administering eardrops. This portion of the ear is called the:
A. Auricle.
B. Concha.
C. Outer meatus.
D. Mastoid process.
2. The nurse is examining a patient’s ears and notices cerumen in the external canal. Which of these
statements about cerumen is correct?
A. Sticky honey-colored cerumen is a sign of infection.
B. The presence of cerumen is indicative of poor hygiene.
C. The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear.
D. Cerumen is necessary for transmitting sound through the auditory canal.
3. When examining the ear with an otoscope, the nurse notes that the tympanic membrane should
appear:
A. Light pink with a slight bulge.
B. Pearly gray and slightly concave.
C. Pulled in at the base of the cone of light.
D. Whitish with a small fleck of light in the superior portion.
4. The nurse is reviewing the structures of the ear. Which of these statements concerning the
eustachian tube is true?
A. The eustachian tube is responsible for the production of cerumen.
B. It remains open except when swallowing or yawning.
C. The eustachian tube allows passage of air between the middle and outer ear.
D. It helps equalize air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane.
, 5. A patient with a middle ear infection asks the nurse, “What does the middle ear do?” The nurse
responds by telling the patient that the middle ear functions to:
A. Maintain balance.
B. Interpret sounds as they enter the ear.
C. Conduct vibrations of sounds to the inner ear.
D. Increase amplitude of sound for the inner ear to function.
6. The nurse is reviewing the function of the cranial nerves (CNs). Which CN is responsible for
conducting nerve impulses to the brain from the organ of Corti?
A. I
B. III
C. VIII
D. XI
7. The nurse is assessing a patient who may have hearing loss. Which of these statements
is true concerning air conduction?
A. Air conduction is the normal pathway for hearing.
B. Vibrations of the bones in the skull cause air conduction.
C. Amplitude of sound determines the pitch that is heard.
D. Loss of air conduction is called a conductive hearing loss.
8. A patient has been shown to have a sensorineural hearing loss. During the assessment, it would
be important for the nurse to:
A. Speak loudly so the patient can hear the questions.
B. Assess for middle ear infection as a possible cause.
C. Ask the patient what medications he is currently taking.
D. Look for the source of the obstruction in the external ear.
9. During an interview, the patient states he has the sensation that “everything around him is
spinning.” The nurse recognizes that the portion of the ear responsible for this sensation is the:
Chapter 15 –
1. The nurse needs to pull the portion of the ear that consists of movable cartilage and skin down
and back when administering eardrops. This portion of the ear is called the:
A. Auricle.
B. Concha.
C. Outer meatus.
D. Mastoid process.
2. The nurse is examining a patient’s ears and notices cerumen in the external canal. Which of these
statements about cerumen is correct?
A. Sticky honey-colored cerumen is a sign of infection.
B. The presence of cerumen is indicative of poor hygiene.
C. The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear.
D. Cerumen is necessary for transmitting sound through the auditory canal.
3. When examining the ear with an otoscope, the nurse notes that the tympanic membrane should
appear:
A. Light pink with a slight bulge.
B. Pearly gray and slightly concave.
C. Pulled in at the base of the cone of light.
D. Whitish with a small fleck of light in the superior portion.
4. The nurse is reviewing the structures of the ear. Which of these statements concerning the
eustachian tube is true?
A. The eustachian tube is responsible for the production of cerumen.
B. It remains open except when swallowing or yawning.
C. The eustachian tube allows passage of air between the middle and outer ear.
D. It helps equalize air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane.
, 5. A patient with a middle ear infection asks the nurse, “What does the middle ear do?” The nurse
responds by telling the patient that the middle ear functions to:
A. Maintain balance.
B. Interpret sounds as they enter the ear.
C. Conduct vibrations of sounds to the inner ear.
D. Increase amplitude of sound for the inner ear to function.
6. The nurse is reviewing the function of the cranial nerves (CNs). Which CN is responsible for
conducting nerve impulses to the brain from the organ of Corti?
A. I
B. III
C. VIII
D. XI
7. The nurse is assessing a patient who may have hearing loss. Which of these statements
is true concerning air conduction?
A. Air conduction is the normal pathway for hearing.
B. Vibrations of the bones in the skull cause air conduction.
C. Amplitude of sound determines the pitch that is heard.
D. Loss of air conduction is called a conductive hearing loss.
8. A patient has been shown to have a sensorineural hearing loss. During the assessment, it would
be important for the nurse to:
A. Speak loudly so the patient can hear the questions.
B. Assess for middle ear infection as a possible cause.
C. Ask the patient what medications he is currently taking.
D. Look for the source of the obstruction in the external ear.
9. During an interview, the patient states he has the sensation that “everything around him is
spinning.” The nurse recognizes that the portion of the ear responsible for this sensation is the:
