Chapter 43. Assessment and Care of
Patients with Ear and Hearing
Problems WK8 MS2 NUR2212 Review
question nativities. Medical-Surgical
Nursing, 10th Edition
A nurse is teaching a client about ear hygiene and health. Which statement by the client
indicates a need for further teaching? - answer"A soft cotton swab is alright to clean my
ears with."
"A soft cotton swab is alright to clean my ears with."
"I make sure my ears are dry after I go swimming."
"I use good earplugs when I practice with the band."
"Keeping my diabetes under control helps hearing."
Clients should be taught not to put anything larger than their fingertip into their ears.
Using a cotton swab, although soft, can cause damage to the ears and cerumen
buildup. The other statements are accurate.
The nurse is teaching new assistive personnel (AP) about caring for older adults. Which
statement would the nurse include about hearing ability of this client group? -
answer"Remember to face the client when talking with him or her."
"You need to talk very loudly when communicating with these clients."
"You always need to check each client's ears for excess ear wax."
"Remember to face the client when talking with him or her."
"Assess each client's hearing ability using the voice or whispertest.
Losing one's hearing is not a normal change of aging although high frequency sounds
may be more difficult to hear. AP does not perform assessments and it is not necessary
to talk loudly or shout unless a hearing impairment exists. Therefore, facing the client is
the best strategy when communicating with most older adults.
The client's electronic health record indicates a sensorineural hearing loss. What
assessment question does the nurse ask to determine the possible cause? -
answer"Have you been exposed to loud noises?"
"Do you feel like something is in your ear?"
"Do you have frequent ear infections?"
, "Have you been exposed to loud noises?"
"Have you been told your ear bones don't move?"
Sensorineural hearing loss can occur from damage to the cochlea, the eighth cranial
nerve, or the brain. Exposure to loud music is one etiology. The other questions are
related to conductive hearing loss.
A client has external otitis. About what comfort measure would the nurse instruct the
client? - answerUse of a heating pad to the ear
Applying ice four times a day
Instilling vinegar-and-water drops
Use of a heating pad to the ear
Using a home humidifier
A heating pad on low or a warm moist pack can provide comfort to the client with otitis
externa. The other options are not appropriate.
An older adult in the family practice clinic reports a decrease in hearing in one ear for
over a week. What action by the nurse is most appropriate? - answerAssess for
cerumen buildup
Assess for cerumen buildup.
Facilitate audiological testing.
Perform tuning fork tests.
Review the medication list.
All options are possible actions for the client with hearing loss. The first action the nurse
would take is to look for cerumen buildup, which can decrease hearing in the older
adult. If this is normal, medications would be assessed for ototoxicity. Further auditory
testing may be needed for this patient.
A client had a myringotomy. What would the nurse include as part of discharge
teaching? - answerBuy dry shampoo to use for a week.
Buy dry shampoo to use for a week.
Drink liquids through a straw.
Flying is not allowed for 1 month.
Hot water showers will help the pain.
The client cannot shower or get the head wet for 1 week after surgery, so using dry
shampoo is a good suggestion. The other instructions are incorrect: straws are not
allowed for 2 to 3 weeks, flying is not allowed for 2 to 3 weeks, and the client should not
shower.
Patients with Ear and Hearing
Problems WK8 MS2 NUR2212 Review
question nativities. Medical-Surgical
Nursing, 10th Edition
A nurse is teaching a client about ear hygiene and health. Which statement by the client
indicates a need for further teaching? - answer"A soft cotton swab is alright to clean my
ears with."
"A soft cotton swab is alright to clean my ears with."
"I make sure my ears are dry after I go swimming."
"I use good earplugs when I practice with the band."
"Keeping my diabetes under control helps hearing."
Clients should be taught not to put anything larger than their fingertip into their ears.
Using a cotton swab, although soft, can cause damage to the ears and cerumen
buildup. The other statements are accurate.
The nurse is teaching new assistive personnel (AP) about caring for older adults. Which
statement would the nurse include about hearing ability of this client group? -
answer"Remember to face the client when talking with him or her."
"You need to talk very loudly when communicating with these clients."
"You always need to check each client's ears for excess ear wax."
"Remember to face the client when talking with him or her."
"Assess each client's hearing ability using the voice or whispertest.
Losing one's hearing is not a normal change of aging although high frequency sounds
may be more difficult to hear. AP does not perform assessments and it is not necessary
to talk loudly or shout unless a hearing impairment exists. Therefore, facing the client is
the best strategy when communicating with most older adults.
The client's electronic health record indicates a sensorineural hearing loss. What
assessment question does the nurse ask to determine the possible cause? -
answer"Have you been exposed to loud noises?"
"Do you feel like something is in your ear?"
"Do you have frequent ear infections?"
, "Have you been exposed to loud noises?"
"Have you been told your ear bones don't move?"
Sensorineural hearing loss can occur from damage to the cochlea, the eighth cranial
nerve, or the brain. Exposure to loud music is one etiology. The other questions are
related to conductive hearing loss.
A client has external otitis. About what comfort measure would the nurse instruct the
client? - answerUse of a heating pad to the ear
Applying ice four times a day
Instilling vinegar-and-water drops
Use of a heating pad to the ear
Using a home humidifier
A heating pad on low or a warm moist pack can provide comfort to the client with otitis
externa. The other options are not appropriate.
An older adult in the family practice clinic reports a decrease in hearing in one ear for
over a week. What action by the nurse is most appropriate? - answerAssess for
cerumen buildup
Assess for cerumen buildup.
Facilitate audiological testing.
Perform tuning fork tests.
Review the medication list.
All options are possible actions for the client with hearing loss. The first action the nurse
would take is to look for cerumen buildup, which can decrease hearing in the older
adult. If this is normal, medications would be assessed for ototoxicity. Further auditory
testing may be needed for this patient.
A client had a myringotomy. What would the nurse include as part of discharge
teaching? - answerBuy dry shampoo to use for a week.
Buy dry shampoo to use for a week.
Drink liquids through a straw.
Flying is not allowed for 1 month.
Hot water showers will help the pain.
The client cannot shower or get the head wet for 1 week after surgery, so using dry
shampoo is a good suggestion. The other instructions are incorrect: straws are not
allowed for 2 to 3 weeks, flying is not allowed for 2 to 3 weeks, and the client should not
shower.
