Question

An 8-year-old girl comes to your ambulatory care clinic with complaints of left ear pain for the past 3 days. She had respiratory infection a week ago. On physical examination, the tympanic membrane is bulging.

Answer the following questions:

What else should you ask the client?

What teaching would you reinforce to prevent the recurrence of otitis media?

What expected outcomes would be specific to this situation?

Answer 1

Ans 1:

• Ask the patient about

severity of pain (especially when lying down position)

Any drainag of fluid from the ear

Difficulty in hearing

Temperature (Fever more than 100 degree Faren hite)

Assess if there is a history of trauma to the ear, affected siblings , family history of otitis media.

Ans 2:

Health teaching to prevent the recurrence of otitis media should include the following points:

• To prevent common cold and other illness teach the childten to wash their hands frequently before and after any procedure.
• While coughing or sneezing cover your mouth.
• Protect your ear when necessary with pieces of cotton.
• Avoid getting water in the ear while bathing or showering by using earplugs during an infectious process.
• Use of antibiotic eardrops as per doctor's order to prevent infection.
• Advise the client to avoid exposure to passive smoking.
• Ensure that child should have complete course of pneumococcal vaccination.
• Instruct the child to earth health food ( high protein ,vitamin carbohydrates etc.) to strengthen theimmunity system.

And 3:

1) The client will be able to reduce pain and achieve an acceptable comfort level.

2) The client will have reduced risk of infection without complications.