Chapter 43: Assessment and Care of Patients
with Ear and Hearing Problems
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is teaching a client about factors that can cause external otitis. Which of
these factors would the nurse emphasize as the highest risk?
a. Excess cerumen
b. Swimming
c. Sinus congestion
d. Meniere disease
ANS: B
External otitis is often called “swimmer’s ear” because it is most often caused by
swimming in lakes, ponds, and untreated pools.
DIF: Remembering TOP: Integrated Process: Assessment KEY: Ear
and hearing problems, Assessment MSC: Client Needs Category:
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
2. A nurse is teaching a community group about preventing hearing loss. What
instruction is appropriate?
a. “Always wear a bicycle helmet.”
b. “Avoid swimming in ponds or lakes.”
c. “Don’t attend fireworks shows.”
d. “Use a cerumen spoon to clean ears.”
, ANS: A
Avoiding head trauma is a practical way to help prevent hearing loss. Swimming can
lead to hearing loss only if the client has repeated infections. Fireworks
displays/shows are loud, but usually brief and only occasional. A cerumen spoon is
only used by primary health care providers to remove ear wax from in the ear canal.
DIF: Applying TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
KEY: Ear and hearing problems, Health promotion MSC: Client
Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A client has severe tinnitus that has not responded to treatment. What action by the
nurse is appropriate?
a. Advise the client to take antianxiety medication.
b. Educate the client on nerve-cutting procedures.
c. Refer the client to online or local support groups.
d. Refer the client to a mental health professional.
ANS: C
If the client’s tinnitus cannot be treated, he or she will need to learn how to cope with
it. Referring the client to tinnitus support groups can be helpful. The other options are
not warranted.
DIF: Applying TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning and
Implementation KEY: Tinnitus, Referral MSC: Client Needs
Category: Psychosocial Integrity
4. A client has mastoiditis and is prescribed antibiotics. What health teaching by the
nurse is most important for this client?
a. “Immediately report headache or stiff neck.”
b. “Keep all follow-up appointments.”
c. “Take the antibiotics with a full glass of water.”
d. “Take the antibiotic on an empty stomach.”
with Ear and Hearing Problems
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is teaching a client about factors that can cause external otitis. Which of
these factors would the nurse emphasize as the highest risk?
a. Excess cerumen
b. Swimming
c. Sinus congestion
d. Meniere disease
ANS: B
External otitis is often called “swimmer’s ear” because it is most often caused by
swimming in lakes, ponds, and untreated pools.
DIF: Remembering TOP: Integrated Process: Assessment KEY: Ear
and hearing problems, Assessment MSC: Client Needs Category:
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
2. A nurse is teaching a community group about preventing hearing loss. What
instruction is appropriate?
a. “Always wear a bicycle helmet.”
b. “Avoid swimming in ponds or lakes.”
c. “Don’t attend fireworks shows.”
d. “Use a cerumen spoon to clean ears.”
, ANS: A
Avoiding head trauma is a practical way to help prevent hearing loss. Swimming can
lead to hearing loss only if the client has repeated infections. Fireworks
displays/shows are loud, but usually brief and only occasional. A cerumen spoon is
only used by primary health care providers to remove ear wax from in the ear canal.
DIF: Applying TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
KEY: Ear and hearing problems, Health promotion MSC: Client
Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A client has severe tinnitus that has not responded to treatment. What action by the
nurse is appropriate?
a. Advise the client to take antianxiety medication.
b. Educate the client on nerve-cutting procedures.
c. Refer the client to online or local support groups.
d. Refer the client to a mental health professional.
ANS: C
If the client’s tinnitus cannot be treated, he or she will need to learn how to cope with
it. Referring the client to tinnitus support groups can be helpful. The other options are
not warranted.
DIF: Applying TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning and
Implementation KEY: Tinnitus, Referral MSC: Client Needs
Category: Psychosocial Integrity
4. A client has mastoiditis and is prescribed antibiotics. What health teaching by the
nurse is most important for this client?
a. “Immediately report headache or stiff neck.”
b. “Keep all follow-up appointments.”
c. “Take the antibiotics with a full glass of water.”
d. “Take the antibiotic on an empty stomach.”
