Note -correct answers *Whether you are working in a family prac ce facility or any of the many
specialty areas that are covered throughout this text, having knowledge in the different areas
and an understanding of the many types of specialty exams and procedures that may be
completed or ordered is essen al.*
Basic Ear and Eye Exams
MA Responsibili es -correct answers In assis ng with eye and ear examina ons...
- You may be expected to hand instruments to the provider as needed.
- Assembling the instruments in the order of use will be most helpful.
- You will be responsible for making sure that the instruments are clean and in working order.
In most clinics
They have mounted otoscope and ophthalmoscope instruments with electrically powered light
sources are used in the medical office. -correct answers - Otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes
should be checked to be sure the light bulbs are providing strong enough light and change
periodically.
- If these instruments are the handheld portable type, the ba eries must also be changed or
charged periodically.
- Cleaning of the scopes a er pa ent use is performed by wiping them down with a gauze pad
and disinfectant or disinfectant wipe as discussed in Chapter 34.
- You might also be responsible for providing educa on and assurance to the pa ent and
recording the procedure performed along with documen ng the results in the pa ent's chart or
EHR.
,Ear Exams -correct answers Most providers use a disposable plas c ear speculum to prevent
disease transmission.
- If non disposable specula are used, they must be sani zed a er every use with a mild
detergent and sterilized so they can be reused safely to examine another pa ent.
If the pa ent has an infected ear that has a discharge containing blood, a disposable ear
speculum is preferred and protec ve gloves must be worn.
Ear Irriga on -correct answers Some mes it is difficult for the provider to inspect the pa ent's
ear due to a buildup of cerumen (earwax) in the ear.
Pa ents some mes try to remove it by using a co on- pped swab, but this o en pushes it
farther into the ear canal, where it becomes lodged and hardens. This buildup can become very
uncomfortable and eventually impair hearing.
Steps of Ear Irriga on: -correct answers 1. The ear may require irriga on (also known as lavage)
to remove the excessive wax. The provider will determine whether the ear needs to be irrigated
and direct the medical assistant to perform the procedure. Occasionally, it is necessary to ins ll
a so ening solu on in the ear to so en earwax before an irriga on procedure can be
performed. Refer to Chapter 51 for the procedure for ear medica on ins lla on.
2. Pa ents should have impacted cerumen removed to avoid further discomfort or possible
injury to the ear. Many offices have adopted a device known as the elephant or rhino ear wash
system which is safe for use by children and adults.
3. Others use a Waterpik or electronic ear irrigators for this purpose because of the gentle flow
produced and convenience for irriga on procedures. Although not the method of choice, some
sites are s ll using a bulb, metal, or plas c syringe to perform the ear irriga on procedure.
4. A er irriga on procedures are performed, even with gentle care, many pa ents feel a li le
dizziness. Be sure that pa ents are completely stable before permi ng them to leave. A er the
earwax is removed, the provider will be able to visualize the ear canal to determine whether
infec on or other condi ons are occurring. Perform irriga ons of the ear following the steps in
Procedure 36-1.
, Auditory Acuity -correct answers The func on of the ear is to enable sound to be perceived. If
this process is impaired, hearing loss results. Diseases or condi ons of the ear, if not treated,
can cause damage to nerves and ssues, which can result in mild to profound deafness.
Some mes an auditory problem may be as simple as the pa ent having impacted cerumen, and
a er irriga on, the person's hearing returns to normal. Other mes, further measures are
necessary. One of your most important du es is relaying important informa on observed to the
provider about pa ents. O en, it is a family member who makes the appointment for a pa ent
with an obvious hearing problem. You can watch for any behaviors as you have contact with the
pa ent or when you talk to them over the phone.
Pa ent Ear Educa on -correct answers 1. Advise pa ents not to put anything into their ears to
avoid damaging the tympanic membrane. Cerumen is produced to protect and moisten the
membrane of the ear canal. Many people feel that they must completely remove this daily with
a swab, which o en results in it being packed down into the ear canal, where it hardens.
Impacted cerumen must be removed by a health care professional.
2. Instruct pa ents that ear drops and other ear medica ons should be used only with the
advice of their provider. Earache, pain, or discharge should be reported to and examined by the
provider as soon as possible.
3. Discuss the possibility of permanent hearing loss with pa ents who work around extremely
loud noise or who listen to audio systems, radios, or TVs with the volume up high. Suggest to
these pa ents to wear protec ve ear coverings or earplugs and turn down the volume on audio
systems to avoid nerve damage.
4. Urge pa ents to have regular hearing tests to detect loss of hearing or other related
problems. It is recommended that this be done annually, unless otherwise instructed by the
provider, if there is a no ceable difference or problem with hearing. If there is a history of ear
infec ons, the pa ent should have periodic hearing tests.
Common behaviors of pa ents that indicate the loss of hearing ability are: -correct answers -
Frequently asking to repeat what was said during conversa on.
- Talking in an inappropriately loud voice.
- Not responding when spoken to if out of sight range.
specialty areas that are covered throughout this text, having knowledge in the different areas
and an understanding of the many types of specialty exams and procedures that may be
completed or ordered is essen al.*
Basic Ear and Eye Exams
MA Responsibili es -correct answers In assis ng with eye and ear examina ons...
- You may be expected to hand instruments to the provider as needed.
- Assembling the instruments in the order of use will be most helpful.
- You will be responsible for making sure that the instruments are clean and in working order.
In most clinics
They have mounted otoscope and ophthalmoscope instruments with electrically powered light
sources are used in the medical office. -correct answers - Otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes
should be checked to be sure the light bulbs are providing strong enough light and change
periodically.
- If these instruments are the handheld portable type, the ba eries must also be changed or
charged periodically.
- Cleaning of the scopes a er pa ent use is performed by wiping them down with a gauze pad
and disinfectant or disinfectant wipe as discussed in Chapter 34.
- You might also be responsible for providing educa on and assurance to the pa ent and
recording the procedure performed along with documen ng the results in the pa ent's chart or
EHR.
,Ear Exams -correct answers Most providers use a disposable plas c ear speculum to prevent
disease transmission.
- If non disposable specula are used, they must be sani zed a er every use with a mild
detergent and sterilized so they can be reused safely to examine another pa ent.
If the pa ent has an infected ear that has a discharge containing blood, a disposable ear
speculum is preferred and protec ve gloves must be worn.
Ear Irriga on -correct answers Some mes it is difficult for the provider to inspect the pa ent's
ear due to a buildup of cerumen (earwax) in the ear.
Pa ents some mes try to remove it by using a co on- pped swab, but this o en pushes it
farther into the ear canal, where it becomes lodged and hardens. This buildup can become very
uncomfortable and eventually impair hearing.
Steps of Ear Irriga on: -correct answers 1. The ear may require irriga on (also known as lavage)
to remove the excessive wax. The provider will determine whether the ear needs to be irrigated
and direct the medical assistant to perform the procedure. Occasionally, it is necessary to ins ll
a so ening solu on in the ear to so en earwax before an irriga on procedure can be
performed. Refer to Chapter 51 for the procedure for ear medica on ins lla on.
2. Pa ents should have impacted cerumen removed to avoid further discomfort or possible
injury to the ear. Many offices have adopted a device known as the elephant or rhino ear wash
system which is safe for use by children and adults.
3. Others use a Waterpik or electronic ear irrigators for this purpose because of the gentle flow
produced and convenience for irriga on procedures. Although not the method of choice, some
sites are s ll using a bulb, metal, or plas c syringe to perform the ear irriga on procedure.
4. A er irriga on procedures are performed, even with gentle care, many pa ents feel a li le
dizziness. Be sure that pa ents are completely stable before permi ng them to leave. A er the
earwax is removed, the provider will be able to visualize the ear canal to determine whether
infec on or other condi ons are occurring. Perform irriga ons of the ear following the steps in
Procedure 36-1.
, Auditory Acuity -correct answers The func on of the ear is to enable sound to be perceived. If
this process is impaired, hearing loss results. Diseases or condi ons of the ear, if not treated,
can cause damage to nerves and ssues, which can result in mild to profound deafness.
Some mes an auditory problem may be as simple as the pa ent having impacted cerumen, and
a er irriga on, the person's hearing returns to normal. Other mes, further measures are
necessary. One of your most important du es is relaying important informa on observed to the
provider about pa ents. O en, it is a family member who makes the appointment for a pa ent
with an obvious hearing problem. You can watch for any behaviors as you have contact with the
pa ent or when you talk to them over the phone.
Pa ent Ear Educa on -correct answers 1. Advise pa ents not to put anything into their ears to
avoid damaging the tympanic membrane. Cerumen is produced to protect and moisten the
membrane of the ear canal. Many people feel that they must completely remove this daily with
a swab, which o en results in it being packed down into the ear canal, where it hardens.
Impacted cerumen must be removed by a health care professional.
2. Instruct pa ents that ear drops and other ear medica ons should be used only with the
advice of their provider. Earache, pain, or discharge should be reported to and examined by the
provider as soon as possible.
3. Discuss the possibility of permanent hearing loss with pa ents who work around extremely
loud noise or who listen to audio systems, radios, or TVs with the volume up high. Suggest to
these pa ents to wear protec ve ear coverings or earplugs and turn down the volume on audio
systems to avoid nerve damage.
4. Urge pa ents to have regular hearing tests to detect loss of hearing or other related
problems. It is recommended that this be done annually, unless otherwise instructed by the
provider, if there is a no ceable difference or problem with hearing. If there is a history of ear
infec ons, the pa ent should have periodic hearing tests.
Common behaviors of pa ents that indicate the loss of hearing ability are: -correct answers -
Frequently asking to repeat what was said during conversa on.
- Talking in an inappropriately loud voice.
- Not responding when spoken to if out of sight range.
