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Chapter 15: Ears
Chapter 15: Ears
Jarvis: Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
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.
,ANS: A
The external ear is called the auricle or pinna and consists of movable cartilage
and skin.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 325
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
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.
ANS: C
The ear is lined with glands that secrete cerumen, which is a yellow waxy
material that lubricates and protects the ear.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 325
,MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
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.
ANS: B
The tympanic membrane is a translucent membrane with a pearly gray color
and a prominent cone of light in the anteroinferior quadrant, which is the
reflection of the otoscope light. The tympanic membrane is oval and slightly
concave, pulled in at its center by the malleus, which is one of the middle ear
ossicles.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 334
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
, 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.
ANS: D
The eustachian tube allows an equalization of air pressure on each side of the
tympanic membrane so that the membrane does not rupture during, for
example, altitude changes in an airplane. The tube is normally closed, but it
opens with swallowing or yawning.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 326
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
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:
One Account Get all Test Banks
Chapter 15: Ears
Chapter 15: Ears
Jarvis: Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
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.
,ANS: A
The external ear is called the auricle or pinna and consists of movable cartilage
and skin.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 325
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
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.
ANS: C
The ear is lined with glands that secrete cerumen, which is a yellow waxy
material that lubricates and protects the ear.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 325
,MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
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.
ANS: B
The tympanic membrane is a translucent membrane with a pearly gray color
and a prominent cone of light in the anteroinferior quadrant, which is the
reflection of the otoscope light. The tympanic membrane is oval and slightly
concave, pulled in at its center by the malleus, which is one of the middle ear
ossicles.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 334
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
, 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.
ANS: D
The eustachian tube allows an equalization of air pressure on each side of the
tympanic membrane so that the membrane does not rupture during, for
example, altitude changes in an airplane. The tube is normally closed, but it
opens with swallowing or yawning.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 326
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
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:
