Deck 58: Otic Drugs

Question 1

The nurse is teaching a patient's wife about administering eardrops to her husband. The nurse will use which technique when demonstrating the skill?

A) Pull the pinna of the ear down and back.
B) Pull the pinna of the ear up and back.
C) Pull the pinna of the ear down and forward.
D) Pull the pinna of the ear up and forward.

Answer 1

Pull the pinna of the ear up and back.

Question 2

The nurse is teaching a patient about proper administration of eardrops. Which statements are correct?

A) Remove cerumen with a cotton-tipped swab before instilling the drops.
B) Instill the drops while still cool from refrigeration.
C) Warm the eardrops to room temperature before instillation.
D) The adult patient should pull the pinna of the ear up and back.
E) Insert a dry cotton ball gently into the ear canal after instillation.
F) Massage the earlobe after instillation.

Answer 2

Warm the eardrops to room temperature before instillation.
The adult patient should pull the pinna of the ear up and back.
Insert a dry cotton ball gently into the ear canal after instillation.

Question 3

The nurse is assessing a child with otitis media. Which statement about otitis media is correct?

A) It is treated with over-the-counter medications.
B) In children, it commonly follows a lower respiratory tract infection.
C) Common symptoms include pain, fever, malaise, and a sensation of fullness in the ears.
D) Hearing deficits are associated only with inner ear infections, not with otitis media.

Answer 3

Common symptoms include pain, fever, malaise, and a sensation of fullness in the ears.

Question 4

A child has been diagnosed with bacterial otitis externa and will be receiving eardrops. Which of these eardrops are appropriate for this infection?

A) Floxin Otic
B) Cortic
C) Debrox
D) Acetasol HC
E) Cipro HC Otic

Question 5

The nurse is administrating eardrops that have been refrigerated. Which action by the nurse is correct before administering the drops?

A) Leave the drops in the refrigerator until use.
B) Heat the chilled solution for 10 seconds in the microwave.
C) Soak the bottle for 60 seconds in a container of very hot water.
D) Take the drops out of the refrigerator 1 hour before the dose is due.

Question 6

The nurse is administering eardrops that contain a combination of an antibiotic and a corticosteroid. What is the rationale for combining these two drugs in eardrops?

A) The combination works to help soften and eliminate cerumen.
B) The corticosteroid reduces pain associated with ear infections.
C) The drops help to eliminate fungal infections.
D) The corticosteroid reduces the inflammation and itching associated with ear infections.

Question 7

The nurse is preparing to administer a new order for eardrops. Which is a potential contraindication to the use of many otic preparations?

A) Ear canal itching
B) Perforated eardrum
C) Staphylococcus aureus otitis externa infection
D) Escherichia coli ear infection

Question 8

When reviewing a patient's medical record, the nurse notes an order for carbamide peroxide eardrops. Based on this information, the nurse interprets that these eardrops are being used for which purpose?

A) To reduce inflammation
B) To reduce production of cerumen
C) To loosen the cerumen for easier removal
D) To inhibit growth of microorganisms in the external canal

Question 9

What teaching by the nurse is important for the safety of the patient who had just received eardrops?

A) Remain supine or sitting for a few minutes after receiving the drops.
B) Be sure to use a heating pad on the affected side.
C) Keep in mind that nausea may occur after eardrops are instilled.
D) Use a cotton-tipped swab to keep the ear canal clean.

Question 10

The nurse is preparing to give an earwax emulsifier to a patient and will assess the patient for which contraindication before administering the drops?

A) Allergy to penicillin
B) Drainage from the ear canal
C) Partial deafness in the affected ear
D) Excessive earwax in the outer ear canal