Hard

Before irrigating an adult patient's ear for impacted cerumen, which finding should make the nurse stop and notify the provider?

Correct answer: C. The patient has a suspected perforated tympanic membrane

  • A. The patient reports mild difficulty hearing
  • B. The patient has a history of seasonal allergies
  • C. The patient has a suspected perforated tympanic membrane
  • D. The patient has used cotton buds in the past

Explanation

Ear irrigation is unsafe when the tympanic membrane may be perforated because fluid can enter the middle ear and cause injury or infection. Mild hearing difficulty and previous cotton bud use do not by themselves confirm this contraindication.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
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About Eye and ENT Nursing

Covers nursing care for cataract, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, retinal disorders, ear infections, hearing loss, vertigo, sinusitis, tonsillitis and laryngeal disease. It includes visual and hearing assessment, eye and ear medication administration, postoperative precautions, airway concerns and the difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

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