NR 601 acute otitis media (AOM): diagnosis and management:

acute otitis media (AOM): diagnosis and management:



🔹 Diagnosis
Typical Symptoms
• Ear pain (otalgia), irritability in children.

• Fever.

• Hearing loss, ear fullness.

• Sometimes otorrhea if tympanic membrane (TM) ruptures.

Physical Exam

• Tympanic membrane findings (key to diagnosis):

o Bulging TM (most specific sign).

o Decreased mobility on pneumatic otoscopy.

o Erythema, opacity.

o Middle ear effusion (fluid line, air-fluid bubbles).

Diagnostic Criteria (per AAP/AAFP guidelines)

• Definitive AOM diagnosis requires BOTH:

1. Acute onset of symptoms.

2. Middle ear effusion + signs of middle ear inflammation (bulging
TM, limited mobility, erythema, otalgia).



🔹 Management
1. Pain Control (Essential for All Patients)

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

• Warm compresses may help.

2. Antibiotic Therapy

• First-line: