Question

Critical Thinking Exercise page 1941

#1 A 45-year-old patient who has been swimming frequently in the local pool has recently been diagnosed with otitis externa.

A) Devise an evidence-based education plan for this patient, with consideration to the diagnosis, possible medical management and treatment options, and home care instructions.

B) Identify evidence- based techniques that the patient should perform to prevent future infections.

Answer 1

otitis externa is the inflammation of external ear canal.

Main causes of otitis externa are bacterial infections, allergies, irritation etc.

Main symptoms include ear pain, itching, discharges from ear etc.

Diagnostic measures include physical examination and check for clinical manifestations.

Monitor vital signs for checking fever

Blood examination for elemated WBC count or any other signs of infection.

Treatment

otitis externa is treated mainly with antibiotic ear drops. Also corticosteroid ear drops are used to reduce the inflammation.

If the infection due to any fungus use antifungal ear drops. Acidic ear drops also helpfull in killing bacteria.

Oral antibiotics and antipyretics to treat fever and also analgesics are administered to relieve pain.

Home care instructions include:

Instructed the patient to avoid getting affected ear wet. It will promote the growth of bacteria. So instructed to avoid swimming during infected period.

If any discharges came clean the outer ear carefully. Do not insert any cotton buds into ear

If severe pain occur take painkillers and the condition get worsen take medical treatment as prescribed by the doctor.

B,

To prevent the further infection person should wear earplug to avoid further infection .

Instruct to clean the ear canal frequently

Get treatment early as possible because it may transfer to inner ear and easily infect brain and other organs.