Asked by Andrea Aguirre on Jun 18, 2024
Verified
A 17-year-old student is a swimmer on her high school's swim team. She has had three bouts of otitis externa this season and wants to know what to do to prevent it. What should the nurse include in the instructions?
A) Use a cotton-tipped swab to dry ear canals thoroughly after each swim.
B) Use rubbing alcohol or 2% acetic acid eardrops after every swim.
C) Irrigate the ears with warm water and a bulb syringe after each swim.
D) Rinse the ears with a warmed solution of mineral oil and hydrogen peroxide.
Otitis Externa
An inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal, also known as swimmer's ear.
Acetic Acid Eardrops
A solution used in the treatment of outer ear infections that works by restoring the normal acidic environment of the ear canal.
Swab
A small piece of absorbent material on a stick or wire base, used to collect samples of substances from various parts of the body for testing or cleansing.
- Develop competencies in instructing patients about the prevention and management of ear disorders, encompassing the application of tympanostomy tubes.
Verified Answer
CL
Candice LindsayJun 18, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
With otitis externa (swimmer's ear), swimming causes the external canal to become waterlogged and swell; skinfolds are set up for infection. The rubbing alcohol and acetic acid mix with the water in the ear and then evaporate. The use of cotton-tip swabs in the ears is not recommended as cotton can be left in the ear and it can also impact cerumen. Irrigating the ears is done to clean the ears, not prevent otitis externa. Otitis externa can be prevented by using rubbing alcohol or 2% acetic acid eardrops after every swim.
Learning Objectives
- Develop competencies in instructing patients about the prevention and management of ear disorders, encompassing the application of tympanostomy tubes.