EARS
1. The nurse needs to pull the portion of the ear that consists of movable cartilage and
skin down and back when administering eardrops. This portion of the ear is called the:
a. Auricle.
b. Concha.
c. Outer meatus.
d. Mastoid process.
ANS: A
The external ear is called the auricle or pinna and consists of movable cartilage and
skin.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 325
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
2. The nurse is examining a patient’s ears and notices cerumen in the external canal.
Which of these statements about cerumen is correct?
a. Sticky honey-colored cerumen is a sign of infection.
b. The presence of cerumen is indicative of poor hygiene.
c. The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear.
,d. Cerumen is necessary for transmitting sound through the auditory canal.
ANS: C
The ear is lined with glands that secrete cerumen, which is a yellow waxy material
that lubricates and protects the ear.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 325
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
3. When examining the ear with an otoscope, the nurse notes that the tympanic
membrane should appear:
a. Light pink with a slight bulge.
b. Pearly gray and slightly concave.
c. Pulled in at the base of the cone of light.
d. Whitish with a small fleck of light in the superior portion.
ANS: B
The tympanic membrane is a translucent membrane with a pearly gray color and a
prominent cone of light in the anteroinferior quadrant, which is the reflection of the
otoscope light. The tympanic membrane is oval and slightly concave, pulled in at its
center by the malleus, which is one of the middle ear ossicles.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 334
, MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
4. The nurse is reviewing the structures of the ear. Which of these statements
concerning the eustachian tube is true?
a. The eustachian tube is responsible for the production of cerumen.
b. It remains open except when swallowing or yawning.
c. The eustachian tube allows passage of air between the middle and outer
ear.
d. It helps equalize air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane.
ANS: D
The eustachian tube allows an equalization of air pressure on each side of the
tympanic membrane so that the membrane does not rupture during, for example,
altitude changes in an airplane. The tube is normally closed, but it opens with
swallowing or yawning.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 326
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
5. A patient with a middle ear infection asks the nurse, “What does the middle ear
do?” The nurse responds by telling the patient that the middle ear functions to:
a. Maintain balance.
b. Interpret sounds as they enter the ear.
1. The nurse needs to pull the portion of the ear that consists of movable cartilage and
skin down and back when administering eardrops. This portion of the ear is called the:
a. Auricle.
b. Concha.
c. Outer meatus.
d. Mastoid process.
ANS: A
The external ear is called the auricle or pinna and consists of movable cartilage and
skin.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 325
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
2. The nurse is examining a patient’s ears and notices cerumen in the external canal.
Which of these statements about cerumen is correct?
a. Sticky honey-colored cerumen is a sign of infection.
b. The presence of cerumen is indicative of poor hygiene.
c. The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear.
,d. Cerumen is necessary for transmitting sound through the auditory canal.
ANS: C
The ear is lined with glands that secrete cerumen, which is a yellow waxy material
that lubricates and protects the ear.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 325
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
3. When examining the ear with an otoscope, the nurse notes that the tympanic
membrane should appear:
a. Light pink with a slight bulge.
b. Pearly gray and slightly concave.
c. Pulled in at the base of the cone of light.
d. Whitish with a small fleck of light in the superior portion.
ANS: B
The tympanic membrane is a translucent membrane with a pearly gray color and a
prominent cone of light in the anteroinferior quadrant, which is the reflection of the
otoscope light. The tympanic membrane is oval and slightly concave, pulled in at its
center by the malleus, which is one of the middle ear ossicles.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 334
, MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
4. The nurse is reviewing the structures of the ear. Which of these statements
concerning the eustachian tube is true?
a. The eustachian tube is responsible for the production of cerumen.
b. It remains open except when swallowing or yawning.
c. The eustachian tube allows passage of air between the middle and outer
ear.
d. It helps equalize air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane.
ANS: D
The eustachian tube allows an equalization of air pressure on each side of the
tympanic membrane so that the membrane does not rupture during, for example,
altitude changes in an airplane. The tube is normally closed, but it opens with
swallowing or yawning.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 326
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
5. A patient with a middle ear infection asks the nurse, “What does the middle ear
do?” The nurse responds by telling the patient that the middle ear functions to:
a. Maintain balance.
b. Interpret sounds as they enter the ear.
