FNP Practice Exam: Ear Disorders
Question 1
A 72-year-old patient presents with gradual hearing loss over several years. The patient reports difficulty
hearing conversations, especially in crowded environments. Otoscopic examination is normal.
What is the most likely cause?
A. Cerumen impaction
B. Presbycusis
C. Otitis media
D. Tympanic membrane perforation
Question 2
A patient presents with hearing loss. During testing, sound lateralizes to the affected ear during the Weber
test.
What type of hearing loss is most likely present?
A. Sensorineural hearing loss
B. Conductive hearing loss
C. Mixed hearing loss
D. Central hearing loss
Question 3
Which medication class is most associated with ototoxicity leading to hearing loss?
A. Beta blockers
B. Aminoglycosides
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Proton pump inhibitors
Question 4
A patient presents with unilateral hearing loss and no obvious abnormal findings on otoscopic examination.
What diagnostic test should be considered to rule out a tumor?
A. Tympanometry
B. MRI
C. CT scan
D. Pneumatic otoscopy
Question 5
A 65-year-old patient presents with hearing difficulty. Otoscopic examination shows the ear canal completely
blocked with earwax.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Otitis externa
B. Cerumen impaction
C. Otitis media
D. Cholesteatoma
Question 6
Which treatment is considered first-line pharmacologic therapy for cerumen impaction?
, A. Carbamide peroxide drops
B. Oral antibiotics
C. Corticosteroid drops
D. Antifungal drops
Question 7
What is the typical dosing regimen for carbamide peroxide in cerumen impaction?
A. 1–2 drops daily for 3 days
B. 5–10 drops BID for 5 days
C. 10 drops daily for 10 days
D. 3 drops BID for 7 days
Question 8
A child presents with fever, ear pain, and irritability following an upper respiratory infection. Otoscopic
examination reveals a bulging erythematous tympanic membrane with decreased mobility.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Otitis externa
B. Acute otitis media
C. Cerumen impaction
D. Mastoiditis
Question 9
Which organisms are the most common causes of acute otitis media?
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus
C. Candida albicans, Aspergillus
D. Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae
Question 10
What is the first-line antibiotic treatment for acute otitis media?
A. Azithromycin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Ceftriaxone
D. Clindamycin
Question 11
What is the recommended amoxicillin dosing for acute otitis media in children?
A. 40 mg/kg/day once daily
B. 50 mg/kg/day divided TID
C. 80–90 mg/kg/day divided BID
D. 100 mg/kg/day divided QID
Question 12
A child has experienced four episodes of acute otitis media within the past year.
What is the most appropriate management?
Question 1
A 72-year-old patient presents with gradual hearing loss over several years. The patient reports difficulty
hearing conversations, especially in crowded environments. Otoscopic examination is normal.
What is the most likely cause?
A. Cerumen impaction
B. Presbycusis
C. Otitis media
D. Tympanic membrane perforation
Question 2
A patient presents with hearing loss. During testing, sound lateralizes to the affected ear during the Weber
test.
What type of hearing loss is most likely present?
A. Sensorineural hearing loss
B. Conductive hearing loss
C. Mixed hearing loss
D. Central hearing loss
Question 3
Which medication class is most associated with ototoxicity leading to hearing loss?
A. Beta blockers
B. Aminoglycosides
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Proton pump inhibitors
Question 4
A patient presents with unilateral hearing loss and no obvious abnormal findings on otoscopic examination.
What diagnostic test should be considered to rule out a tumor?
A. Tympanometry
B. MRI
C. CT scan
D. Pneumatic otoscopy
Question 5
A 65-year-old patient presents with hearing difficulty. Otoscopic examination shows the ear canal completely
blocked with earwax.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Otitis externa
B. Cerumen impaction
C. Otitis media
D. Cholesteatoma
Question 6
Which treatment is considered first-line pharmacologic therapy for cerumen impaction?
, A. Carbamide peroxide drops
B. Oral antibiotics
C. Corticosteroid drops
D. Antifungal drops
Question 7
What is the typical dosing regimen for carbamide peroxide in cerumen impaction?
A. 1–2 drops daily for 3 days
B. 5–10 drops BID for 5 days
C. 10 drops daily for 10 days
D. 3 drops BID for 7 days
Question 8
A child presents with fever, ear pain, and irritability following an upper respiratory infection. Otoscopic
examination reveals a bulging erythematous tympanic membrane with decreased mobility.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Otitis externa
B. Acute otitis media
C. Cerumen impaction
D. Mastoiditis
Question 9
Which organisms are the most common causes of acute otitis media?
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus
C. Candida albicans, Aspergillus
D. Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae
Question 10
What is the first-line antibiotic treatment for acute otitis media?
A. Azithromycin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Ceftriaxone
D. Clindamycin
Question 11
What is the recommended amoxicillin dosing for acute otitis media in children?
A. 40 mg/kg/day once daily
B. 50 mg/kg/day divided TID
C. 80–90 mg/kg/day divided BID
D. 100 mg/kg/day divided QID
Question 12
A child has experienced four episodes of acute otitis media within the past year.
What is the most appropriate management?
