Nurs 5433 – Ent & Upper Airway Disorders Exam
2026/2027 | Practice Questions And Answers (Verified
Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive Exam Guide
2026&2027
1. A patient presents with unilateral ear pain, fever, and tenderness when the tragus is
manipulated. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Otitis media
B. Otitis externa
C. Mastoiditis
D. Ménière disease
Answer: B
The combination of ear pain and pain with manipulation of the tragus is characteristic of
otitis externa, an infection or inflammation of the external auditory canal.
2. A patient with acute otitis media reports increasing ear pain followed by sudden
drainage of purulent fluid from the ear. Which explanation is most appropriate?
A. Cerumen has liquefied
B. The infection has resolved
C. The tympanic membrane may have perforated
D. The external auditory canal has become obstructed
Answer: C
Sudden purulent otorrhea following severe otalgia can indicate tympanic membrane
perforation caused by pressure from middle-ear infection.
3. Which assessment finding is most consistent with conductive hearing loss?
A. Difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds despite a normal external canal
B. Hearing loss associated with damage to the cochlea
C. Reduced sound transmission through the external or middle ear
D. Hearing loss caused exclusively by aging
Answer: C
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound transmission through the external or middle ear is
impaired, such as with cerumen impaction, otitis media, or ossicular abnormalities.
,4. A patient reports episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of
fullness in one ear. Which disorder is most likely?
A. Ménière disease
B. Otitis externa
C. Otosclerosis
D. Presbycusis
Answer: A
Ménière disease classically involves episodic vertigo accompanied by fluctuating
sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness.
5. A patient suddenly develops hearing loss in one ear without trauma or an obvious
external obstruction. What is the nurse's priority?
A. Reassure the patient that this is expected with aging
B. Recommend routine earwax removal
C. Arrange prompt medical evaluation
D. Encourage the patient to wait several weeks
Answer: C
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is time-sensitive and requires prompt evaluation because
early treatment may improve the chance of hearing recovery.
6. Which finding is most characteristic of presbycusis?
A. Sudden unilateral deafness
B. Progressive bilateral high-frequency hearing loss
C. Conductive hearing loss caused by cerumen
D. Intermittent hearing loss associated with ear drainage
Answer: B
Presbycusis is age-associated sensorineural hearing loss that typically progresses gradually
and initially affects higher frequencies.
7. A patient with vertigo asks whether remaining completely still in bed indefinitely will
prevent future episodes. Which response is most appropriate?
A. "Complete bed rest is the standard long-term treatment."
B. "Avoiding all movement permanently prevents vestibular adaptation."
C. "Activity may be gradually resumed as tolerated once acute symptoms improve."
D. "You should avoid walking until hearing returns to normal."
,Answer: C
After acute vestibular symptoms improve, gradual activity can support functional recovery
and reduce complications associated with prolonged immobility.
8. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for hearing and vestibular function?
A. Cranial nerve V
B. Cranial nerve VII
C. Cranial nerve VIII
D. Cranial nerve X
Answer: C
Cranial nerve VIII, the vestibulocochlear nerve, carries auditory information and vestibular
signals related to balance.
9. A patient with an upper respiratory infection develops facial pressure, purulent nasal
drainage, and maxillary tooth discomfort. Which condition is most likely?
A. Acute rhinosinusitis
B. Epistaxis
C. Laryngitis
D. Otitis externa
Answer: A
Facial pressure, purulent nasal drainage, and maxillary discomfort are common
manifestations of acute rhinosinusitis.
10. Which symptom is particularly concerning in a patient with sinusitis because it may
indicate orbital involvement?
A. Mild nasal congestion
B. Periorbital swelling with visual changes
C. Clear rhinorrhea
D. Sneezing
Answer: B
Periorbital swelling and visual changes can indicate extension of infection into orbital tissues
and require urgent evaluation.
11. A patient experiences recurrent nosebleeds and asks how to reduce the risk of
recurrence. Which instruction is most appropriate?
, A. Pick the nasal mucosa regularly to remove crusts
B. Apply direct pressure when bleeding occurs and avoid nasal trauma
C. Blow the nose forcefully after every episode
D. Insert dry tissue deeply into the nasal cavity
Answer: B
Direct pressure is an appropriate first-aid measure for anterior epistaxis, while avoiding
trauma helps reduce recurrence.
12. A patient develops anterior epistaxis. Which technique should the nurse teach?
A. Lie flat and tilt the head backward
B. Sit upright, lean forward, and apply firm pressure to the soft nose
C. Blow the nose repeatedly
D. Place the head below the knees
Answer: B
Sitting upright and leaning forward helps prevent swallowing or aspiration of blood, while
pressure over the soft nasal portion promotes hemostasis.
13. Which structure separates the external auditory canal from the middle ear?
A. Cochlea
B. Eustachian tube
C. Tympanic membrane
D. Semicircular canal
Answer: C
The tympanic membrane forms the boundary between the external auditory canal and middle
ear and vibrates in response to sound.
14. Which ossicle is directly attached to the tympanic membrane?
A. Stapes
B. Incus
C. Malleus
D. Cochlea
Answer: C
The malleus is attached to the tympanic membrane and transmits vibrations through the
ossicular chain toward the inner ear.
2026/2027 | Practice Questions And Answers (Verified
Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive Exam Guide
2026&2027
1. A patient presents with unilateral ear pain, fever, and tenderness when the tragus is
manipulated. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Otitis media
B. Otitis externa
C. Mastoiditis
D. Ménière disease
Answer: B
The combination of ear pain and pain with manipulation of the tragus is characteristic of
otitis externa, an infection or inflammation of the external auditory canal.
2. A patient with acute otitis media reports increasing ear pain followed by sudden
drainage of purulent fluid from the ear. Which explanation is most appropriate?
A. Cerumen has liquefied
B. The infection has resolved
C. The tympanic membrane may have perforated
D. The external auditory canal has become obstructed
Answer: C
Sudden purulent otorrhea following severe otalgia can indicate tympanic membrane
perforation caused by pressure from middle-ear infection.
3. Which assessment finding is most consistent with conductive hearing loss?
A. Difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds despite a normal external canal
B. Hearing loss associated with damage to the cochlea
C. Reduced sound transmission through the external or middle ear
D. Hearing loss caused exclusively by aging
Answer: C
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound transmission through the external or middle ear is
impaired, such as with cerumen impaction, otitis media, or ossicular abnormalities.
,4. A patient reports episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of
fullness in one ear. Which disorder is most likely?
A. Ménière disease
B. Otitis externa
C. Otosclerosis
D. Presbycusis
Answer: A
Ménière disease classically involves episodic vertigo accompanied by fluctuating
sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness.
5. A patient suddenly develops hearing loss in one ear without trauma or an obvious
external obstruction. What is the nurse's priority?
A. Reassure the patient that this is expected with aging
B. Recommend routine earwax removal
C. Arrange prompt medical evaluation
D. Encourage the patient to wait several weeks
Answer: C
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is time-sensitive and requires prompt evaluation because
early treatment may improve the chance of hearing recovery.
6. Which finding is most characteristic of presbycusis?
A. Sudden unilateral deafness
B. Progressive bilateral high-frequency hearing loss
C. Conductive hearing loss caused by cerumen
D. Intermittent hearing loss associated with ear drainage
Answer: B
Presbycusis is age-associated sensorineural hearing loss that typically progresses gradually
and initially affects higher frequencies.
7. A patient with vertigo asks whether remaining completely still in bed indefinitely will
prevent future episodes. Which response is most appropriate?
A. "Complete bed rest is the standard long-term treatment."
B. "Avoiding all movement permanently prevents vestibular adaptation."
C. "Activity may be gradually resumed as tolerated once acute symptoms improve."
D. "You should avoid walking until hearing returns to normal."
,Answer: C
After acute vestibular symptoms improve, gradual activity can support functional recovery
and reduce complications associated with prolonged immobility.
8. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for hearing and vestibular function?
A. Cranial nerve V
B. Cranial nerve VII
C. Cranial nerve VIII
D. Cranial nerve X
Answer: C
Cranial nerve VIII, the vestibulocochlear nerve, carries auditory information and vestibular
signals related to balance.
9. A patient with an upper respiratory infection develops facial pressure, purulent nasal
drainage, and maxillary tooth discomfort. Which condition is most likely?
A. Acute rhinosinusitis
B. Epistaxis
C. Laryngitis
D. Otitis externa
Answer: A
Facial pressure, purulent nasal drainage, and maxillary discomfort are common
manifestations of acute rhinosinusitis.
10. Which symptom is particularly concerning in a patient with sinusitis because it may
indicate orbital involvement?
A. Mild nasal congestion
B. Periorbital swelling with visual changes
C. Clear rhinorrhea
D. Sneezing
Answer: B
Periorbital swelling and visual changes can indicate extension of infection into orbital tissues
and require urgent evaluation.
11. A patient experiences recurrent nosebleeds and asks how to reduce the risk of
recurrence. Which instruction is most appropriate?
, A. Pick the nasal mucosa regularly to remove crusts
B. Apply direct pressure when bleeding occurs and avoid nasal trauma
C. Blow the nose forcefully after every episode
D. Insert dry tissue deeply into the nasal cavity
Answer: B
Direct pressure is an appropriate first-aid measure for anterior epistaxis, while avoiding
trauma helps reduce recurrence.
12. A patient develops anterior epistaxis. Which technique should the nurse teach?
A. Lie flat and tilt the head backward
B. Sit upright, lean forward, and apply firm pressure to the soft nose
C. Blow the nose repeatedly
D. Place the head below the knees
Answer: B
Sitting upright and leaning forward helps prevent swallowing or aspiration of blood, while
pressure over the soft nasal portion promotes hemostasis.
13. Which structure separates the external auditory canal from the middle ear?
A. Cochlea
B. Eustachian tube
C. Tympanic membrane
D. Semicircular canal
Answer: C
The tympanic membrane forms the boundary between the external auditory canal and middle
ear and vibrates in response to sound.
14. Which ossicle is directly attached to the tympanic membrane?
A. Stapes
B. Incus
C. Malleus
D. Cochlea
Answer: C
The malleus is attached to the tympanic membrane and transmits vibrations through the
ossicular chain toward the inner ear.
