Asked by Rahul Sharma on Apr 24, 2024
Verified
The nurse is performing a middle ear assessment on a 15-year-old patient who has had a history of chronic ear infections. When examining the right tympanic membrane, the nurse sees the presence of dense white patches. The tympanic membrane is otherwise unremarkable. It is pearly, with the light reflex at 5 o'clock and landmarks visible. What should the nurse do?
A) Refer the patient for the possibility of a fungal infection.
B) Recognize that these are scars caused from frequent ear infections.
C) Consider that these findings may represent the presence of blood in the middle ear.
D) Be concerned about the ability to hear because of this abnormality on the tympanic membrane.
Tympanic Membrane
The eardrum; a thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear and vibrates in response to sound waves.
Fungal Infection
An invasion of one or more species of fungi on parts of the body, which can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the area affected.
Light Reflex
The reaction of the pupil to light, either by contracting in response to increased light exposure or dilating in dim light, aiding in the diagnosis of neurological conditions.
- Understand the implications of chronic ear infections and recognize related tympanic membrane changes.
Verified Answer
Learning Objectives
- Understand the implications of chronic ear infections and recognize related tympanic membrane changes.
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