An older patient says, I seem to be talking so much louder these ...

[ssal]

An older patient says, I seem to be talking so much louder these days and I don't know why The nurse realizes that this patient might be experiencing:
 
  1. loss of hair cells in the middle ear.
  2. cochlear atrophy.
  3. impacted cerumen.
  4. stiffening of the middle ear structures.

Question 2

During the assessment of a patient's outer eyes, the nurse suspects that the patient has a hair follicle infection. What did the nurse most likely assess in this patient?
 
  1. xanthelasma
  2. ptosis
  3. exophthalmos
  4. sty

[mcni194]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
One age-related change of the middle ear is the weakening and stiffening of muscles and ligaments, which decreases the acoustic reflex. Sounds made from one's own body and speech are louder and may further interfere with hearing, speech, and communication. Loss of hair cells in the middle ear, cochlear atrophy, and impacted cerumen would not produce the perception that the patient is speaking more loudly.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
An acute localized inflammation of a hair follicle is known as a hordeolum or a sty and is generally caused by staphylococcal organisms. Yellow plaques noted most often on the lid margins are referred to as xanthelasma and have cosmetic significance only. Ptosis, or drooping of the eyelid, may be congenital in nature or may be associated with stroke, neuromuscular disorders. Exophthalmos is an abnormal prominence of the eye and is associated with thyroid disease.