1.
A client arrives at the emergency room with a foreign body in the left ear that has been determined to be an insect. Which intervention would the nurse anticipate to be prescribed initially?
Correct Answer
B. Installation of diluted alcohol
Explanation
The nurse would anticipate the initial intervention to be the installation of diluted alcohol. This is because alcohol can be used to immobilize the insect and make it easier to remove from the ear. It is a common first-line treatment for foreign bodies in the ear. Irrigation of the ear may be done after the alcohol is used to remove the insect. Antibiotic ear drops may be prescribed if there is an infection present, but it is not the initial intervention. Corticosteroid ear drops are not typically used for the removal of foreign bodies in the ear.
2.
The nurse has noted that the physician has a diagnosis of presbycusis on the client’s chart. The nurse plans care knowing the condition is:
Correct Answer
A. A sensorineural hearing loss that occurs with aging
Explanation
Presbycusis is a term used to describe age-related hearing loss. It is a sensorineural hearing loss, which means it is caused by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is commonly associated with aging and is characterized by a gradual loss of hearing ability. The nurse plans care based on this diagnosis, understanding that the client's ability to hear and communicate may be compromised.
3.
A client with Meniere’s disease is experiencing severe vertigo. Which instruction would the nurse give to the client to assist in controlling vertigo?
Correct Answer
B. Avoid sudden head movements
Explanation
The nurse would instruct the client to avoid sudden head movements to assist in controlling vertigo. Meniere's disease is a condition that affects the inner ear and can cause episodes of severe dizziness and vertigo. Sudden head movements can trigger these symptoms and worsen the vertigo. By avoiding sudden head movements, the client can minimize the risk of triggering an episode and help control their symptoms. Increasing fluid intake, lying still and watching television, or increasing sodium in the diet would not directly address the issue of vertigo in Meniere's disease.
4.
The nurse is reviewing the physician’s orders for a client with Meniere’s disease. Which diet will most likely be prescribed?
Correct Answer
B. Low-sodium diet
Explanation
A low-sodium diet is most likely to be prescribed for a client with Meniere's disease. Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. One of the main triggers for these symptoms is an increase in fluid volume in the inner ear. Sodium can contribute to fluid retention, so reducing sodium intake can help decrease fluid volume and alleviate symptoms. Therefore, a low-sodium diet would be the most appropriate dietary recommendation for a client with Meniere's disease.
5.
A client is diagnosed with a disorder involving the inner ear. Which of the following is the most common client complaint associated with a disorder in this part of the ear?
Correct Answer
C. Tinnitus
Explanation
Tinnitus is the most common client complaint associated with a disorder in the inner ear. Tinnitus refers to the perception of ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears, which can be constant or intermittent. It is often caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, which are responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals that the brain can interpret. This damage can result from various factors such as exposure to loud noises, aging, or certain medical conditions. Therefore, tinnitus is a common symptom that indicates a disorder in the inner ear.
6.
A nurse would question an order to irrigate the ear canal in which of the following circumstances?
Correct Answer
D. Perforated tympanic membrane
Explanation
A nurse would question an order to irrigate the ear canal in the case of a perforated tympanic membrane because irrigating the ear canal could potentially introduce fluid into the middle ear, which can lead to infection or damage to the delicate structures of the ear. A perforated tympanic membrane is a hole or tear in the eardrum, and it can increase the risk of complications from ear irrigation.
7.
Which of the following interventions is essential when instilling Cortisporin suspension. 2 gtt right ear?
Correct Answer
B. Warming the solution to prevent dizziness
Explanation
Warming the solution: Instilling cold ear drops can cause dizziness or vertigo because the cold liquid can stimulate the vestibular system in the inner ear. Warming the drops to body temperature helps prevent this reaction and ensures a more comfortable experience for the patient.
8.
When teaching the client about Meniere’s disease, which of the following instructions would a nurse give about vertigo?
Correct Answer
C. Get up slowly. Turning the entire body.
Explanation
The nurse would instruct the client with Meniere's disease to get up slowly and turn the entire body to prevent vertigo. This is because sudden movements can trigger vertigo episodes in individuals with Meniere's disease. By getting up slowly and turning the entire body, the client can minimize the risk of experiencing dizziness and vertigo.
9.
The part of the ear that contains the receptors for hearing is the:
Correct Answer
B. Cochlea
Explanation
The cochlea is the correct answer because it is the part of the ear that contains the receptors for hearing. It is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear. Inside the cochlea, there are tiny hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain for interpretation. The cochlea plays a vital role in our ability to perceive and process sound.
10.
The ear bones that transmit vibrations to the oval window of the cochlea are found in the:
Correct Answer
C. Middle ear
Explanation
The correct answer is middle ear. The middle ear contains three small bones called the ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the oval window of the cochlea. These bones amplify and transmit the sound waves, allowing them to be converted into electrical signals by the hair cells in the cochlea, which are then sent to the brain for interpretation.