Chapter 58 Otic Drugs
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which is a contraindication to the use of neomycin sulphate otic preparation?
a. Escherichia coli infection
b. Perforated eardrum c. Klebsiella infection d. Bacterial otitis
ANS B
Neomycin sulphate, polymyxin B sulphate, and hydrocortisone acetate otic preparations are
contraindicated in patients with a perforated eardrum because of the risk for ototoxicity. Ciprofloxacin
and dexamethasone can be used with perforated eardrums.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
2. Hydrocortisone is commonly used in combination with otic antibiotics to do what?
a. To soften and eliminate cerumen
b. To reduce pain associated with ear infections
c. To act as an antifungal agent in certain types of ear infections
d. To reduce inflammation and itching associated with ear infections
ANS D
Hydrocortisone is commonly used in combination with otic antibiotics to reduce inflammation and
itching associated with ear infections.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
3. A 12-month-old infant is prescribed ear drops. What does the nurse direct the parents to do when
they administer the drops?
a. Pull the child’s pinna down and back.
b. Pull the child’s pinna up and back.
c. Pull the child’s pinna down and forward.
d. Pull the child’s pinna up and forward.
, ANS A
The pinna should be pulled down and back when giving ear drops to children under 3 years of age.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. Which describes the use of carbamide peroxide?
a. To reduce inflammation
b. To reduce production of cerumen
c. To loosen the cerumen for easier removal
d. To inhibit growth of microorganisms in the external canal
ANS C
Carbamide peroxide is a commonly used earwax emulsifier. It is combined with other components
(e.g., glycerin, a lubricant) that help soften and lubricate cerumen prior to irrigation and make removal
easier.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
5. A patient is prescribed ear drops. What important information about the proper use of ear
drops should the nurse give the patient?
a. Cerumen should be removed with a cotton-tipped swab before the drops are
instilled. b. The drops should be instilled while still cool from refrigeration.
c. The ear drops should be warmed to room temperature before
instillation. d. The ear lobe should be massaged after the instillation of
medication.
ANS C
Ear drops should be at room temperature; cold drops may cause dizziness or other discomfort.
Before drops are instilled, cerumen should be removed by irrigation, not with cotton-tipped swabs.
To encourage flow through the ear canal, the tragus area should be massaged after instillation.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which is a contraindication to the use of neomycin sulphate otic preparation?
a. Escherichia coli infection
b. Perforated eardrum c. Klebsiella infection d. Bacterial otitis
ANS B
Neomycin sulphate, polymyxin B sulphate, and hydrocortisone acetate otic preparations are
contraindicated in patients with a perforated eardrum because of the risk for ototoxicity. Ciprofloxacin
and dexamethasone can be used with perforated eardrums.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
2. Hydrocortisone is commonly used in combination with otic antibiotics to do what?
a. To soften and eliminate cerumen
b. To reduce pain associated with ear infections
c. To act as an antifungal agent in certain types of ear infections
d. To reduce inflammation and itching associated with ear infections
ANS D
Hydrocortisone is commonly used in combination with otic antibiotics to reduce inflammation and
itching associated with ear infections.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
3. A 12-month-old infant is prescribed ear drops. What does the nurse direct the parents to do when
they administer the drops?
a. Pull the child’s pinna down and back.
b. Pull the child’s pinna up and back.
c. Pull the child’s pinna down and forward.
d. Pull the child’s pinna up and forward.
, ANS A
The pinna should be pulled down and back when giving ear drops to children under 3 years of age.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. Which describes the use of carbamide peroxide?
a. To reduce inflammation
b. To reduce production of cerumen
c. To loosen the cerumen for easier removal
d. To inhibit growth of microorganisms in the external canal
ANS C
Carbamide peroxide is a commonly used earwax emulsifier. It is combined with other components
(e.g., glycerin, a lubricant) that help soften and lubricate cerumen prior to irrigation and make removal
easier.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
5. A patient is prescribed ear drops. What important information about the proper use of ear
drops should the nurse give the patient?
a. Cerumen should be removed with a cotton-tipped swab before the drops are
instilled. b. The drops should be instilled while still cool from refrigeration.
c. The ear drops should be warmed to room temperature before
instillation. d. The ear lobe should be massaged after the instillation of
medication.
ANS C
Ear drops should be at room temperature; cold drops may cause dizziness or other discomfort.
Before drops are instilled, cerumen should be removed by irrigation, not with cotton-tipped swabs.
To encourage flow through the ear canal, the tragus area should be massaged after instillation.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
