C HAPTER 58: O TIC D RUGS
Lilley: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is preparing to give an earwax emulsifier to a patient and will
assess the patient for which contraindication before administering the
drops?
a. Allergy to penicillin
b. Drainage from the ear canal
c. Partial deafness in the affected ear
d. Excessive earwax in the outer ear canal
ANS: B
Earwax emulsifiers are indicated for excessive earwax in the outer ear
canal and are not to be used without prescription when ear drainage,
tympanic membrane rupture, or significant pain or other irritation is
present. Cerumen impaction may cause partial deafness in the affected
ear.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Reduction of Risk
Potential
2. The nurse is assessing a child with otitis media. Which statement about
otitis media is correct?
a. It is treated with over -the-counter medications.
b. In children, it commonl y follows a lower respiratory tract infection.
, c. Common symptoms include pain , fever, malaise, and a sensation of
fullness in the ears.
d. Hearing deficits are associated onl y with inner ear infections, not
with otitis media.
ANS: C
Otitis media is rarely treated with over -the-counter medications and
commonl y follows an upper respirat ory tract infection in children.
Hearing deficits may occur if prompt therapy is not started. Common
s ymptoms include pain, fever, malaise, and a sensation of fullness in
the ears.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
3. The nurse is administrating eardrops that have been refrigerated. Which
action by the nurse is correct before administering the drops?
a. Leave the drops in the refri gerator until use.
b. Heat the chilled solution for 10 seconds in the microwave.
c. Soak the bottle for 60 seconds in a container of very hot water.
d. Take the drops out of the refrigerator 1 hour before the dose is due.
ANS: D
Give eardrops at room temperature. I f the pharmacy indicates that the
drug is to be refrigerated, it should be taken out of the refrigerator up
to 1 hour before it is to be instilled so that it can warm up to room
temperature. They are not to be placed in the microwave or soaked in
hot water; eardrops that are overheated may lose potency.
Administration of solutions that are too cold may cause a vestibular
Lilley: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is preparing to give an earwax emulsifier to a patient and will
assess the patient for which contraindication before administering the
drops?
a. Allergy to penicillin
b. Drainage from the ear canal
c. Partial deafness in the affected ear
d. Excessive earwax in the outer ear canal
ANS: B
Earwax emulsifiers are indicated for excessive earwax in the outer ear
canal and are not to be used without prescription when ear drainage,
tympanic membrane rupture, or significant pain or other irritation is
present. Cerumen impaction may cause partial deafness in the affected
ear.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Reduction of Risk
Potential
2. The nurse is assessing a child with otitis media. Which statement about
otitis media is correct?
a. It is treated with over -the-counter medications.
b. In children, it commonl y follows a lower respiratory tract infection.
, c. Common symptoms include pain , fever, malaise, and a sensation of
fullness in the ears.
d. Hearing deficits are associated onl y with inner ear infections, not
with otitis media.
ANS: C
Otitis media is rarely treated with over -the-counter medications and
commonl y follows an upper respirat ory tract infection in children.
Hearing deficits may occur if prompt therapy is not started. Common
s ymptoms include pain, fever, malaise, and a sensation of fullness in
the ears.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
3. The nurse is administrating eardrops that have been refrigerated. Which
action by the nurse is correct before administering the drops?
a. Leave the drops in the refri gerator until use.
b. Heat the chilled solution for 10 seconds in the microwave.
c. Soak the bottle for 60 seconds in a container of very hot water.
d. Take the drops out of the refrigerator 1 hour before the dose is due.
ANS: D
Give eardrops at room temperature. I f the pharmacy indicates that the
drug is to be refrigerated, it should be taken out of the refrigerator up
to 1 hour before it is to be instilled so that it can warm up to room
temperature. They are not to be placed in the microwave or soaked in
hot water; eardrops that are overheated may lose potency.
Administration of solutions that are too cold may cause a vestibular
