Term
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Definition
1. middle ear infection
2. most often afflicts children and follows and upper respiratory tract infection
3. in adults, usually results from foreign objects or water sports
4. symptoms include pain, fever, malaise, pressure, sensation of fullness in the ears, hearing loss
5. in untreated tinnitus, nausea, vertigo, mastoiditis may occur
6. hearing deficits and hearing loss may result if prompt therapy is not started |
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Term
| A 2 year old is seen in pediatricians office with a bacterial middle ear infection. Which medication does the nurse anticipate being prescribed for the childe. |
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Definition
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Term
| antibacterial and antifungal otic drugs |
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Definition
1. topical formulations applied to the external ear
2. often combined with steroids for antiinflammatory, antipruritic, and antiallergic drug effects
3. middle ear infections generally require systemically administered antibiotics |
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Term
| When teaching an adult pt about eardrops, which statement will the nurse include? |
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Definition
| Lie on the opposite side of that of your affected ear for about 5 minutes after instilling the drug |
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Term
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Definition
1. assess baseline hearing or auditory status
2. evaluate pt's symptoms
3. assess drug and food allergies
4. assess for contraindications
5. keep in mind that perforated eardrums may be contraindication to these drugs - ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin can be used with perforated eardrums
6. if necessary or if ordered, remove cerumen by irrigation before instillng eardrops
7. cleanse outer ear thoroughly
8. warm eardrops to approximately body temperature before instillation
9. allow refrigerated solutions to warm to room temperature
10. keep in mind that cold eardrops may cause vomiting and dizziness |
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Term
| While administering meds, the nurse finds a pt's eardrops in the medication refrigerator. If the nurse gives the eardrops immediately, what response might the pt have? |
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Definition
| A vestibular type reaction. Administration of cold eardrops may cause vomiting and dizziness |
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Term
| When administering to an adult |
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Definition
| hold the pinna up and back |
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Term
| When administering eardrops to a child younger than 3 years |
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Definition
| hold the pinna down and back |
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Term
| Nursing Implications continued |
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Definition
1. allow time for eardrops to flow down into ear canal
2. have pts lie on the side opposite to the side of the affected ear for about 5 minutes after instilling eardrops
3. a small cotton ball may be gently inserted into the ear canal to keep the drug in, but do not force the cotton into ear canal
4. gently massage the tragus of the ear to encourage flow of medication |
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Term
| Gentle massage of the tragus area of the ear after administering the eardrops results in |
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Definition
| increased coverage of the medication in the ear canal |
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Term
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Definition
1. commonly used earwax emulsifier
2. it is combined with other components to help soften and lubricate cerumen prior to irrigation
3. slowly releases hydrogen peroxide and oxygen when exposed to moisture.
4. not to be used unless doc says so when pt has ear drainage, tympanic membrane rupture, or significant pain or other irritation is present
pregnancy category C |
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