A 5-month-old infant has been unusually irritable and has been pulling on the ears.The nurse expects that medications for this client will probably include infant acetaminophen and antibiotics for the treatment of:

Question

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The symptoms described (irritability and pulling on the ears) suggest that the infant may have an ear infection, most likely otitis media (infection of the middle ear). Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat this type of infection. Acetaminophen can also be given to relieve pain and reduce fever. Otitis interna and mastoiditis are more serious infections that require prompt medical attention and may require more aggressive treatment. External otitis, also known as swimmer's ear, is an infection of the outer ear canal and is usually treated with ear drops. However, given the symptoms described, external otitis is unlikely to be the cause of the infant's discomfort.

A 5-Month-Old Infant Has Been Unusually Irritable and Has Been