Deck 47: Assessment of Auditory Function

Question 1

A patient is scheduled for an MRI to help diagnose a new onset of unilateral deafness. Which information in the patient's history requires an intervention?
1)Patient has a pacemaker
2)Patient takes metformin
3)Patient has claustrophobia
4)Patient is allergic to iodine

Answer 1

1

Question 2

The nurse prepares the patient who is experiencing "fullness" in the ears for which diagnostic test?
1)MRI
2)CT scan
3)Tympanometry
4)Electronystagmography

Answer 2

3

Question 3

The school nurse is preparing a poster for students focusing on the structures of the ear. What information should be included about the Eustachian tube?
1)It carries information about balance directly to the brain
2)It is lined with glands that secrete cerumen
3)It connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx
4)It holds the sensory organs for equilibrium and hearing

Answer 3

3

Question 4

The nurse conducts a health assessment for an older adult patient. Which information indicates a patient may be experiencing a hearing loss?
1)The patient's spouse states, "My husband often speaks to me in a loud tone."
2)The patient's spouse states, "We enjoy listening to music every evening before bed."
3)The patient states, "I enjoy going to church each Sunday and hearing the sermon."
4)The patient states, "The wax in my ears gets dry sometimes."

Question 5

A patient with a hearing disorder just underwent a CT scan with contrast. The nurse prioritizes which post-procedure teaching?
1)Increase oral fluids
2)Avoid caffeinated beverages
3)Take nothing by mouth for three hours
4)Avoid over-the-counter analgesics

Question 6

A patient is diagnosed with a bone conduction hearing disorder. Which bones are responsible for transmitting sound for bone conduction?
1)Skull
2)Maxilla
3)Mastoid
4)Mandible

Question 7

The nurse correlates which medication that a patient is taking to a new onset of reduced hearing?
1)Prilosec
2)Gentamycin
3)Dexamethasone
4)Calcium supplement

Question 8

The nurse correlates which action by the patient as increasing the risk for a perforated eardrum?
1)Flushes the ears with warm water
2)Uses a cotton tip swab remove ear wax
3)Cleanses the outer ear areas with a washcloth
4)Places cotton balls in the ears before swimming

Question 9

The nurse correlates which patient behavior in the patient who is experiencing a hearing disorder?
1)Answers most questions incorrectly
2)Interrupting the nurse during the assessment
3)Looks at the nurse's face when talking
4)Takes a few extra seconds before responding

Question 10

The nurse provides education to a patient who is scheduled for an electronystagmography. Which patient statement indicates the need for additional education?
1)"I can have clear liquids prior to the test."
2)"I will refrain from caffeine intake for 24 hours prior to the test."
3)"I will bring my prescription eye glasses with me the day of the test."
4)"I will ask my spouse to come with me in case I develop nausea and can't drive."

Question 11

Which finding noted by the nurse when visualizing a patient's tympanic membrane with an otoscope requires an intervention?
1)The right ear membrane appears translucent.
2)The left ear membrane appears pink in color.
3)The left ear membrane appears oval in shape.
4)The right ear membrane appears pearly white in color.

Question 12

A patient who swims twice a week has been experiencing frequent ear infections and asks how this can be prevented. What is the best response by the nurse?
1)"Use waterproof earplugs."
2)"Place cotton in the ears before swimming."
3)"Instill castor oil into the ears before swimming."
4)"Flush the ears with hydrogen peroxide after swimming."

Question 13

The nurse monitors for which clinical manifestation in the patient with vestibular dysfunction?
1)Sudden hearing loss
2)Ear pain
3)Impaired balance
4)Increased cerumen

Question 14

In performing the Rinne test, where does the nurse place the tuning fork after activation?
1)Anterior to the pinna
2)Center of forehead
3)Mastoid process
4)Midline of skull

Question 15

A patient is being evaluated for a hearing disorder. How does the nurse explain the semicircular canals?
1)Contain glands that make cerumen
2)Are the smallest bones in the human body
3)Cartilage containing fluid and hair cells
4)Separate the external from the middle ear

Question 16

What information does the nurse include in the teaching plan for the patient scheduled for an audiometry examination?
1)Determines hearing acuity
2)Measures cranial nerve function
3)Identifies if the middle ear is inflamed
4)Analyzes brain interpretation of sound

Question 17

The nurse is preparing to use an otoscope to examine an adult patient's external ear structures. What should the nurse do to ensure the ear canal is straight?
1)Pull the pinna down
2)Pull the pinna up and back
3)Hold the otoscope upright
4)Tilt the patient's head toward the nurse

Question 18

Which action does the nurse implement when conducting the voice test to asses a patient's hearing?
1)Hands headphones to the patient
2)Stands 1 to 2 feet away from the patient
3)Asks the patient to verify if a tick is heard
4)Holds a watch 5 in. from the patient's ear

Question 19

In the patient experiencing extreme vertigo, the nurse correlates this to malfunction of which part of the ear?
1)Pinnae
2)Malleus
3)Labyrinth
4)Organs of Corti

Question 20

During a hearing assessment the nurse has the patient cover one ear and asks the patient to repeat a few words spoken near the uncovered ear. Which assessment technique is the nurse using?
1)Voice test
2)Watch test
3)Weber test
4)Rinne test

Question 21

Which questions does the nurse include in the assessment for a patient who is suspected of experiencing hearing loss? Select all that apply.
1)"Does your family complain about your hearing?"
2)"Do you have a history of tube placement in your ears?"
3)"At what age was your spouse diagnosed with hearing loss?"
4)"Do you raise the volume on your television frequently to watch a show?"
5)"Do you have to ask your children to repeat themselves during a conversation?"

Question 22

The ear-nose-and-throat healthcare professional documents that a patient has a stiff tympanic membrane. What is the nurse's interpretation of this information?
1)Antibiotics should be prescribed
2)Progressive hearing loss will occur
3)Middle ear changes are affecting the patient's hearing
4)Special care is required to protect the ears when showering

Question 23

The nurse notices that an older patient takes a few extra seconds to respond to conversation. What is the nurse's interpretation of this finding?
1)The patient is experiencing presbycusis
2)The patient is using NSAIDs for pain
3)The patient has experienced nerve damage from medication
4)The patient has an increased auditory reaction time

Question 24

The nurse is preparing a teaching tool on hearing for a community fair and includes information about which medication classifications that potentially lead to hearing problems? Select all that apply.
1)Diuretics
2)Antibiotics
3)Vasodilators
4)Chemotherapy agents
5)Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Question 25

The nurse correlates which clinical manifestations to the patient with Level III Usher's syndrome? Select all that apply.
1)Deafness
2)Unilateral hearing loss
3)Variable vestibular dysfunction
4)Profound sensorineural hearing loss
5)Progressive sensorineural hearing loss

Question 26

In teaching strategies to promote effective communication to a patient with impaired hearing, the nurse includes which statements? Select all that apply.
1)Raise the volume of voice
2)Speak slowly
3)Face the patient when speaking
4)Use a higher tone to enhance reception
5)Clearly enunciate

Question 27

An older patient has an impaction of cerumen in both ears. The nurse explains which factor as increasing the risk for this impaction?
1)Decrease in cilia lining the ear canal.
2)Atrophy of apocrine glands
3)Reduced fluid intake
4)Stiffening of blood vessels

Question 28

A patient is diagnosed with a middle ear infection. What structures are affected by this infection? Select all that apply.
1)Cochlea
2)Bony labyrinth
3)Eustachian tube
4)Mastoid process
5)Tympanic membrane

Question 29

A patient is scheduled for an electronystagmography. The nurse includes which instructions to the patient in preparation for this test? Select all that apply.
1)Bring eyeglasses to the test
2)Report an allergy to iodine or shellfish
3)Drinking fluids after the test will occur slowly
4)Take nothing by mouth for three hours before the test
5)Avoid caffeine products for 24 hours prior to the test

Question 30

A middle-aged patient avoids eating out in restaurants because of the inability to hear conversations with dining partners. The nurse correlates this data to which auditory disorder?
1)Presbycusis
2)Mixed hearing loss
3)Conductive hearing loss
4)Sensorineural hearing loss