Physiologically, the middle ear, containing the three ossicles, serves primarily to:
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Solution
Amplify the energy of sound waves entering the ear.
The middle ear contains the three ossicles—malleus, incus, and stapes—which, along with the tympanic membrane and oval window, form an amplifying system.
A client who is complaining of tinnitus is describing a symptom that is:
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Solution
Subjective.
A subjective symptom such as ringing in the ears can be felt only by the client.
Otosclerosis is a common cause of conductive hearing loss. Which such a partial hearing loss:
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Solution
Hearing aids usually restore some hearing.
With a partial hearing loss that auditory ossicles have not yet become fixed; as long as vibrations occur, a hearing aid may be beneficial.
A labyrinthectomy can be performed to treat Meniere’s syndrome. This procedure results in:
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Solution
Permanent irreversible deafness.
The labyrinth is the inner ear and consists of the vestibule, cochlea, semicircular canals, utricle, saccule, cochlear duct, and membranous semicircular canals. A labyrinthectomy is performed to alleviate the symptoms of vertigo but results in deafness, because the organ of Corti and cochlear nerve are located in the inner ear.
Nerve deafness would most likely result from an injury or infection that damaged the:
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Solution
Cochlear nerve.
Because the organ of hearing is the organ of Corti, located in the cochlea, nerve deafness would most likely accompany damage to the cochlear nerve.
The ear bones that transmit vibrations to the oval window of the cochlea are found in the:
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Solution
Middle ear.
The bones in the middle ear transmit and amplify air pressure waves from the tympanic membrane to the oval window of the cochlea, which is the inner ear. The tympanic membrane separates the other from the middle ear.
The part of the ear that contains the receptors for hearing is the:
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Solution
Cochlea.
The dendrites of the cochlear nerve terminate on the hair cells of the organ of Corti in the cochlea.
When teaching the client about Meniere’s disease, which of the following instructions would a nurse give about vertigo?
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Solution
Get up slowly, turning the entire body.
Turning the entire body, not the head, will prevent vertigo. Dizziness is expected but can be prevented. The client shouldn’t drive as he may reflexively turn the wheel to correct vertigo. Turning the client in bed slowly and smoothly will be helpful; logrolling isn’t needed.
Which of the following interventions is essential when instilling Cortisporin suspension, 2 gtt right ear?
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Solution
Verifying the proper client and route.
When giving medications, a nurse follows the five R’s of medication administration. The drops may be warmed to prevent pain or dizziness, but this action is not essential. An emesis basin would be used for irrigation of the ear. Put the client in the lateral position to prevent the drops from draining out for 5 minutes, not semi-fowlers position.
A nurse would question an order to irrigate the ear canal in which of the following circumstances?
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Solution
Perforated tympanic membrane.
Irrigation of the ear canal is contraindicated with perforation of the tympanic membrane because the solution entering the inner ear may cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and infection.
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?
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Solution
Tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the most common complaint of clients with otological disorders, especially disorders involving the inner ear. Symptoms of tinnitus range from mild ringing in the ear, which can go unnoticed during the day, to a loud roaring in the ear, which can interfere with the client’s thinking process and attention span.
The nurse is reviewing the physician’s orders for a client with Meniere’s disease. Which diet will most likely be prescribed?
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Solution
Low-sodium diet.
Dietary changes such as salt and fluid restrictions that reduce the amount of endolymphatic fluid sometimes are prescribed.
A client with Meniere’s disease is experiencing severe vertigo. Which instruction would the nurse give to the client to assist in controlling the vertigo?
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Solution
Avoid sudden head movements.
The nurse instructs the client to make slow head movements to prevent worsening of the vertigo. Dietary changes such as salt and fluid restrictions that reduce the amount of endolymphatic fluid sometimes are prescribed. Lying still and watching television will not control vertigo.
The nurse has notes that the physician has a diagnosis of presbycusis on the client’s chart. The nurse plans care knowing the condition is:
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Solution
A sensorineural hearing loss that occurs with aging.
Presbycusis is a type of hearing loss that occurs with aging. Presbycusis is a gradual sensorineural loss caused by nerve degeneration in the inner ear or auditory nerve.
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?
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Solution
Instillation of diluted alcohol.
Insects are killed before removal unless they can be coaxed out by a flashlight or a humming noise. Mineral oil or diluted alcohol is instilled into the ear to suffocate the insect, which then is removed by using forceps. When the foreign object is vegetable matter, irrigation is not used because this material expands with hydration and the impaction becomes worse.