Chapter 16: Ears
Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Edition by
Carolyn Jarvis
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)
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
2. The nurse is examining a patients 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)
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)
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)
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:
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.
ANS: C
Among its other functions, the middle ear conducts sound vibrations from the
outer ear to the central hearing apparatus in the inner ear. The other responses are
not functions of the middle ear.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
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
ANS: C
The nerve impulses are conducted by the auditory portion of CN VIII to the brain.
Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Edition by
Carolyn Jarvis
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)
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
2. The nurse is examining a patients 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)
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)
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)
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:
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.
ANS: C
Among its other functions, the middle ear conducts sound vibrations from the
outer ear to the central hearing apparatus in the inner ear. The other responses are
not functions of the middle ear.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
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
ANS: C
The nerve impulses are conducted by the auditory portion of CN VIII to the brain.
