Exam 10: Assessing the Ears

After inspecting the ears of a 76-year-old male the nurse documents: "Patient presents with abnormally large ears." The nurse recalls that the medical term for this is:

In performing the Weber test to assess for sensorineural hearing loss, where is the tuning fork placed on the patient?

During the palpation assessment of the ear, which structures are gently palpated in each ear? Select all that apply.

Which of the following findings would indicate a negative Rinne test?

You are performing a hearing assessment. You place the tuning fork on the mastoid bone and then place the tines perpendicular to the ears. What is the name of this hearing assessment?

The nurse has documented in the chart: "Patient exhibits a cauliflower ear." What is a cauliflower ear?

Identify the ear condition: inflammation of the outer ear, yellow discharge in the external ear canal, and ear pain.

Which of the following two tests should be performed to correctly assess sensorineural hearing loss?

An 88-year-old female has come in for her annual physical visit. During the review of systems she states that your voice sounds "muffled and unclear." This type of hearing loss is called:

You are inspecting the ears of a 32-year-old male who is complaining of right ear tenderness and swelling. Which of the following would the nurse document as normal findings? Select all that apply.

The patient comes to urgent care complaining of ear pain. You assess the ear using an otoscope. What is your assessment finding?

You note that while you are interviewing the patient he turns his right ear toward you. Which of the following questions are the BEST questions to ask about the patient's ability to hear? Select all that apply.

The nurse is using an otoscope to assess the inner right ear and notes an excessive amount of a dark brown substance in the external ear canal. What would the nurse document in the electronic health record?

You are assessing the patient's hearing. Place the following steps in order (1-6) to conduct the sequence of the Whispered Voice test. (Enter the number of each step in the proper sequence. Do not use punctuation or spaces. Example: 1234.) ____1. Document your findings. ____2. Ask the individual to cover the left ear that you are not testing. ____3. Whisper three random words, letters, or numbers toward the right ear. ____4. Repeat on the opposite side. ____5. Have the individual repeat what you whispered. ____6. Stand behind the person to his or her right side about 2 feet away.

A 58-year-old male has come in for a routine visit at the physician's office. During the health history he states, "I have been having some hearing loss lately. My wife thinks I am ignoring her, but I just do not hear her. The doctor says I have cerumen in my ears." This type of hearing loss is called:

The nurse asks the patient if he or she has been exposed to loud noises. Why is this question important?

What is the nurse assessing for in the photo?

You are performing an inner ear assessment. What is your assessment finding based on the photo above?

This part of the ear is responsible for transmitting sound waves through the auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII).

One of the most common complaints for which individuals seek medical care for their ears is: