A Patient with Otosclerosis Has a Stapedectomy for Treatment of Hearing

Multiple Choice

A patient with otosclerosis has a stapedectomy for treatment of hearing loss. Two days after the surgery, the patient tells the nurse, "I do not hear as well now as I did right after the surgery." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) "You may have a different kind of hearing loss that is not related to the otosclerosis."
B) "The dressing over your incision most likely is decreasing your hearing in that ear."
C) "Postoperative accumulation of fluid and blood in your middle ear will temporarily decrease your hearing."
D) "I will let the health care provider know about this because you could have a fistula or other complication of the surgery."