The nurse is performing a focused interview with a client who has been cleaning the ears with a cotton-tipped applicator. Which complications of this practice will the nurse include in the teaching session for this client?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using cotton-tipped applicators for ear cleaning can lead to perforation of the tympanic membrane due to the risk of pushing the applicator too far into the ear canal. It can also cause impaction of cerumen (earwax) further into the ear canal, making it difficult to remove and potentially leading to other complications. While otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear canal) is a possible complication, it is not directly caused by the use of cotton-tipped applicators. To phi and the need for tympanostomy tubes are also not complications associated with this practice.

The Nurse Is Performing a Focused Interview with a Client