Chapter 12 Ears, Nose, and Throat Test Bank—Nursing.

Chapter 12: Ears, Nose, and
Throat Test Bank—Nursing


MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The middle ear contains the:
a.
cerumen and sebaceous glands.
b.
umbo and malleus.
c.
vestibule and cochlea.
d.
pars tensa and semicircular canals.
ANS: B
The middle ear contains the ossicles, three small bones—the malleus (umbo is part of the
malleus), the incus, and the stapes. Cerumen and sebaceous glands lie outside the middle ear.
The vestibule and the cochlea lie in the inner ear. The tympanic membrane separates the
external ear from the middle ear and is composed of the pars tensa, and the semicircular
canals lie in the inner ear.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 231
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

2. The middle ear is normally filled with:
a.
air.
b.
blood.
c.
serous fluid.
d.
cerebrospinal fluid.
ANS: A
The middle ear normally is an air-filled cavity in the temporal bone.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 231
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

3. The hair cells of Corti and membrane of Corti:
a.
produce a waxy lubricant.
b.
protect the ear from foreign particles.
c.
stimulate the eighth cranial nerve.
d.
transmit vibrations to the ossicles.
ANS: C
Vibrations from the tympanic membrane cause the delicate hair cells of the organ of Corti to
strike against the membrane of Corti, stimulating impulses in the sensory endings of the
auditory division of the eighth cranial nerve.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 231
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

4. The organ of Corti is a coiled structure located inside the:
a.
cochlea in the inner ear.
b.
pars flaccida in the tympanic membrane.
c.
eustachian tube.

, d.
lateral aspect of the pinna.
ANS: A
The cochlea is a coiled structure within the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 231
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

5. Mrs. Kinder is a 39-year-old patient who presents to the office with complaints of an
earache. In explaining to the patient about the function of her ears, which ear structure would
you tell her is responsible for equalizing atmospheric pressure when swallowing, sneezing,
or yawning?
a.
Eustachian tube
b.
Inner ear
c.
Pars flaccida
d.
Triangular fossa
ANS: A
The eustachian tube is a cartilaginous and bony passageway between the nasopharynx and
middle ear that opens briefly to equalize the middle ear pressure with that of the atmospheric
pressure when swallowing, yawning, or sneezing.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 231
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

6. Mr. Sprat is a 21-year-old patient who complains of nasal congestion. He admits to
using recreational drugs. On examination, you have noted a septal perforation. Which of
the following recreational drugs is commonly associated with nasal septum perforation?
a.
Heroin
b.
Cocaine
c.
PCP
d.
Ecstasy
ANS: B
Long-term cocaine snorting causes ischemic necrosis of the septal cartilage and leads to
perforation of the nasal septum.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 243
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

7. A 5-year-old child presents with nasal congestion and a headache. To assess for sinus
tenderness, you should palpate over the:
a.
sphenoid and frontal sinuses.
b.
maxillary and frontal sinuses.
c.
maxillary sinuses only.
d.
sphenoid sinuses only.
ANS: C
Only the maxillary and the frontal sinuses are accessible for physical examination; however,
the young child does not develop frontal sinuses until 7 to 8 years of age.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 233