911 was dialed by a frantic mother for her 3-year-old daughter who stuck a small, dried bean into her ear. Assessment shows the bean to be lodged firmly in the ear canal. When treating this patient, the EMT would:

Question

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Attempting to remove the bean with tweezers could cause further damage to the ear canal and potentially push the bean further in. Flushing the ear canal with water could also cause the bean to become further lodged. The safest and most appropriate action would be to reassure the mother and transport the patient to a hospital where the bean can be safely and properly removed by a medical professional. The patient may also need follow-up care with their family physician.

911 Was Dialed by a Frantic Mother for Her 3-Year-Old