CH. 58 - OTIC DRUGS EAQ QUESTIONS WITH 100%
RATED ANSWERS 2025/2026 LATEST UPDATED/GET
A+
Which action would the nurse take when administering eardrops to an adult patient?
a. Chill the eardrops and then administer them to the patient.
b. Administer the eardrops by holding the pinna down and back.
c. Place the bottle in water for 2 minutes before administering the eardrops.
d. Massage the tragus area of the ear gently after administering the eardrops. - d. Massage the
tragus area of the ear gently after administering the eardrops.
Rationale
After administering eardrops, the nurse would gently massage the tragus area of the ear to
increase coverage of the medication. Chilled eardrop medication should not be administered to
the patient because it would cause a vestibular type of reaction and may result in vomiting and
dizziness. The nurse would hold the pinna up and back while administering eardrops to adults.
While administering eardrops to children younger than 3 years of age, the nurse would hold the
pinna down and back. Placing the bottle in water is unadvisable because this would damage the
medication label, and the directions given on the label would become unclear.
A 3-year-old female with otitis media has been prescribed otic medication. Which adverse effect
will the nurse include when the patient expresses concern about the otic drops?
a. Constipation
b. Localized irritation
c. Nausea
d. Fever - b. Localized irritation
Rationale
Adverse effects are uncommon and usually do not extend beyond localized irritation.
Constipation, nausea, and fever are not listed as adverse effects for otic drops.
Arrange the structures of the ear in order from external to internal.
Cochlea
Eardrum
Ear pinna
Eustachian tube - 1. Ear pinna
2. Eardrum
3. Eustachian tube
4. Cochlea
Rationale
, The structure of the ear is divided into four regions: external, outer, middle, and
inner. The external auditory meatus, or the pinna, is the external projection of the ear. The
middle ear is composed of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and three bones, namely, the incus
(anvil), malleus (hammer), and stapes (stirrup). These structures are connected to the eustachian
tube. The middle ear is followed by the inner ear, which contains the cochlea and semicircular
canals.
Which diagnosis would the nurse suspect if the provider prescribes an antifungal product called
Cortic that is to be administered by otic drops?
a. Otic externa
b. Otitis media
c. Ruptured tympanic membrane
d. Vertigo - a. Otic externa
Rationale
Antifungal otic drugs are primarily used for otitis externa. The nurse would anticipate the
patient's diagnosis to be otitis externa. Antifungal medication is not usually prescribed for otitis
media or ruptured tympanic membrane. Vertigo may be a symptom of otitis externa but would
not be the diagnosis for which the drug was prescribed.
The nurse teaches a nursing student about earwax emulsifier. Which statement by the student
indicates effective learning?
a. "Earwax emulsifier treats ear infection."
b. "Earwax emulsifier prevents fungal infection."
c. "Earwax emulsifier loosens impacted cerumen."
d. "Earwax emulsifier decreases earwax secretion." - c. "Earwax emulsifier loosens impacted
cerumen."
Rationale
Earwax emulsifiers are products that soften and help eliminate earwax. An earwax emulsifier
loosens impacted cerumen and allows it to be flushed out of the ear canal. An earwax emulsifier
does not have antiinfective or antifungal properties; therefore it is not helpful for treating ear or
fungal infections. Earwax emulsifiers have little or no effect on sweat glands. Therefore they do
not decrease earwax secretion.
A patient is being treated with otic medication. Which effect would the nurse anticipate with this
treatment?
a. Improved hearing
b. Increased dizziness
c. Increase of cerumen
d. Increased head trauma - a. Improved hearing
Rationale
RATED ANSWERS 2025/2026 LATEST UPDATED/GET
A+
Which action would the nurse take when administering eardrops to an adult patient?
a. Chill the eardrops and then administer them to the patient.
b. Administer the eardrops by holding the pinna down and back.
c. Place the bottle in water for 2 minutes before administering the eardrops.
d. Massage the tragus area of the ear gently after administering the eardrops. - d. Massage the
tragus area of the ear gently after administering the eardrops.
Rationale
After administering eardrops, the nurse would gently massage the tragus area of the ear to
increase coverage of the medication. Chilled eardrop medication should not be administered to
the patient because it would cause a vestibular type of reaction and may result in vomiting and
dizziness. The nurse would hold the pinna up and back while administering eardrops to adults.
While administering eardrops to children younger than 3 years of age, the nurse would hold the
pinna down and back. Placing the bottle in water is unadvisable because this would damage the
medication label, and the directions given on the label would become unclear.
A 3-year-old female with otitis media has been prescribed otic medication. Which adverse effect
will the nurse include when the patient expresses concern about the otic drops?
a. Constipation
b. Localized irritation
c. Nausea
d. Fever - b. Localized irritation
Rationale
Adverse effects are uncommon and usually do not extend beyond localized irritation.
Constipation, nausea, and fever are not listed as adverse effects for otic drops.
Arrange the structures of the ear in order from external to internal.
Cochlea
Eardrum
Ear pinna
Eustachian tube - 1. Ear pinna
2. Eardrum
3. Eustachian tube
4. Cochlea
Rationale
, The structure of the ear is divided into four regions: external, outer, middle, and
inner. The external auditory meatus, or the pinna, is the external projection of the ear. The
middle ear is composed of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and three bones, namely, the incus
(anvil), malleus (hammer), and stapes (stirrup). These structures are connected to the eustachian
tube. The middle ear is followed by the inner ear, which contains the cochlea and semicircular
canals.
Which diagnosis would the nurse suspect if the provider prescribes an antifungal product called
Cortic that is to be administered by otic drops?
a. Otic externa
b. Otitis media
c. Ruptured tympanic membrane
d. Vertigo - a. Otic externa
Rationale
Antifungal otic drugs are primarily used for otitis externa. The nurse would anticipate the
patient's diagnosis to be otitis externa. Antifungal medication is not usually prescribed for otitis
media or ruptured tympanic membrane. Vertigo may be a symptom of otitis externa but would
not be the diagnosis for which the drug was prescribed.
The nurse teaches a nursing student about earwax emulsifier. Which statement by the student
indicates effective learning?
a. "Earwax emulsifier treats ear infection."
b. "Earwax emulsifier prevents fungal infection."
c. "Earwax emulsifier loosens impacted cerumen."
d. "Earwax emulsifier decreases earwax secretion." - c. "Earwax emulsifier loosens impacted
cerumen."
Rationale
Earwax emulsifiers are products that soften and help eliminate earwax. An earwax emulsifier
loosens impacted cerumen and allows it to be flushed out of the ear canal. An earwax emulsifier
does not have antiinfective or antifungal properties; therefore it is not helpful for treating ear or
fungal infections. Earwax emulsifiers have little or no effect on sweat glands. Therefore they do
not decrease earwax secretion.
A patient is being treated with otic medication. Which effect would the nurse anticipate with this
treatment?
a. Improved hearing
b. Increased dizziness
c. Increase of cerumen
d. Increased head trauma - a. Improved hearing
Rationale
