Free Eye and ENT Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Eye and ENT Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
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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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. The illuminated pupil constricts and the other pupil also constricts
- B. The illuminated pupil dilates and the other pupil remains unchanged
- C. Both pupils dilate when light is directed into one eye
- D. The illuminated pupil remains fixed while the other pupil constricts
Explanation: A normal pupil shows a direct response in the illuminated eye and a consensual response in the opposite eye.
Correct answer: The illuminated pupil constricts and the other pupil also constricts- A. Reduced production of aqueous humour
- B. Increased production of aqueous humour
- C. Improved drainage of infected conjunctival secretions
- D. Relaxation of the muscles controlling eyelid closure
Explanation: Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces aqueous humour production and lowers intraocular pressure.
Correct answer: Reduced production of aqueous humour- A. Mild itching during the first evening
- B. A small amount of watery eye discharge
- C. Sudden worsening of vision with severe eye pain
- D. Slight sensitivity to bright light outdoors
Explanation: Sudden visual loss with severe pain may indicate increased intraocular pressure, infection or another serious postoperative complication.
Correct answer: Sudden worsening of vision with severe eye pain- A. They detect retinal damage before major vision loss develops
- B. They permanently reverse cataract changes in the lens
- C. They prevent all changes in intraocular pressure
- D. They remove floaters caused by vitreous ageing
Explanation: Retinal examinations can identify diabetic retinal changes before symptoms become severe, allowing timely treatment and improved glucose…
Correct answer: They detect retinal damage before major vision loss develops- 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…
Correct answer: The patient has a suspected perforated tympanic membrane- A. Remove it before bathing and keep it dry
- B. Store it in water overnight to prevent hardening
- C. Clean it with alcohol while the battery remains inside
- D. Increase the volume whenever speech sounds unclear
Explanation: Moisture can damage a hearing aid, so it should be removed before bathing and stored in a dry place.
Correct answer: Remove it before bathing and keep it dry- A. Rise slowly and sit at the bedside before standing
- B. Turn the head rapidly to test whether vertigo remains
- C. Walk without assistance to improve balance quickly
- D. Remain completely flat whenever dizziness occurs
Explanation: Changing position slowly and sitting before standing reduces sudden loss of balance and injury risk.
Correct answer: Rise slowly and sit at the bedside before standing28. A patient with sinusitis is taught to use a saline nasal rinse at home. Which technique is safest?
- A. Use sterile, distilled or previously boiled cooled water
- B. Use untreated tap water directly from the household supply
- C. Share the rinse bottle with another family member
- D. Force the solution strongly through both blocked nostrils
Explanation: Sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water reduces the risk of introducing harmful organisms into the nasal passages.
Correct answer: Use sterile, distilled or previously boiled cooled water- A. Cool clear fluids given in small frequent amounts
- B. Hot tea given quickly to soothe the throat
- C. Red fruit juice given to improve iron intake
- D. Crisp toast given to test swallowing ability
Explanation: Cool clear fluids in small amounts help maintain hydration and are less irritating to the operative area.
Correct answer: Cool clear fluids given in small frequent amounts- A. Over the nose and mouth with a standard face mask
- B. Through the permanent neck stoma using suitable equipment
- C. Under the chin while the patient breathes through the nose
- D. To the side of the neck while the mouth remains uncovered
Explanation: After total laryngectomy, the trachea is permanently separated from the mouth and nose, so the patient breathes only through the neck…
Correct answer: Through the permanent neck stoma using suitable equipment31. Which technique does the nurse use to assess a patient's peripheral visual fields by confrontation?
- A. The patient covers one eye and identifies moving fingers
- B. The patient reads progressively smaller letters
- C. The patient follows a light with both eyes
- D. The patient identifies colors on a printed chart
Explanation: In confrontation testing, the nurse and patient cover opposite eyes and compare the patient's peripheral field with the nurse's field.
Correct answer: The patient covers one eye and identifies moving fingers- A. The treated iris may gradually become darker
- B. The medication commonly causes severe hearing loss
- C. The drops should be stopped when vision improves
- D. The patient should expect complete loss of night vision
Explanation: Latanoprost can increase eyelash growth and cause gradual, often permanent darkening of the iris.
Correct answer: The treated iris may gradually become darker- A. Straight lines appear wavy or distorted
- B. The patient needs brighter light for reading
- C. The patient blinks several times after reading
- D. The patient sees clearly in the central field
Explanation: Wavy or missing lines on an Amsler grid can indicate worsening macular damage and should be reported promptly.
Correct answer: Straight lines appear wavy or distorted- A. Pain increases when the pinna is gently pulled
- B. A bulging tympanic membrane is visible
- C. Deep ear pain follows an upper respiratory infection
- D. Fluid is present behind an intact tympanic membrane
Explanation: Tenderness when the tragus or pinna is moved is characteristic of inflammation of the external ear canal.
Correct answer: Pain increases when the pinna is gently pulled- A. A known perforation of the tympanic membrane
- B. Mild itching around the outer ear
- C. A temperature of 37.4°C
- D. Small amounts of dry cerumen
Explanation: Aminoglycoside ear drops such as gentamicin may cause ototoxicity if they enter the middle ear through a perforated tympanic membrane.
Correct answer: A known perforation of the tympanic membrane- A. It is a normal result
- B. It confirms conductive hearing loss
- C. It confirms sensorineural hearing loss
- D. It indicates complete deafness in both ears
Explanation: Normally, air conduction is longer and louder than bone conduction, producing a positive Rinne test.
Correct answer: It is a normal result37. A patient returns from a mastoidectomy. Which nursing instruction is appropriate during recovery?
- A. Avoid forceful nose blowing on the operated side
- B. Clean the ear canal deeply with cotton swabs
- C. Keep the patient flat on the operated side
- D. Encourage repeated vigorous coughing every hour
Explanation: Forceful nose blowing can increase pressure and disrupt healing after ear surgery.
Correct answer: Avoid forceful nose blowing on the operated side38. A patient has anterior nasal packing inserted for epistaxis. Which nursing action is the priority?
- A. Assess the airway and observe for continued bleeding
- B. Remove the packing every hour to inspect the mucosa
- C. Ask the patient to blow the nose to clear clots
- D. Place the patient flat with the head lower than the chest
Explanation: Airway assessment is the priority because blood, swelling, or displaced packing can obstruct breathing.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and observe for continued bleeding- A. Drowsiness and dry mouth
- B. Severe hypoglycaemia and sweating
- C. Increased urination and thirst
- D. Bleeding from the gums and nose
Explanation: Meclizine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic effects, so drowsiness and dry mouth are common.
Correct answer: Drowsiness and dry mouth- A. Assess oxygenation and suction the tracheostomy if indicated
- B. Give oral fluids immediately despite swallowing difficulty
- C. Occlude the tracheostomy opening to improve speech
- D. Place the patient supine and remove the inner cannula
Explanation: Noisy airflow with thick secretions may indicate partial airway obstruction, so oxygenation and airway patency take priority.
Correct answer: Assess oxygenation and suction the tracheostomy if indicated