Author Question: A pneumatic otoscopic examination is used to assess: A. Inner ear conditions B. Otitis externa ... (Read 82 times)

jenna1 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A pneumatic otoscopic examination is used to assess:

A. Inner ear conditions
B. Otitis externa
C. Cerumen impaction
D. Tympanic membrane mobility

Question 2

An 86-year-old patient who wears a hearing aid complains of poor hearing in the affected ear. In addition to possible hearing aid malfunction, this condition is often due to:

A. Acoustic neuroma
B. Cerumen impaction
C. Otitis media
D. Mnire's disease

ryansturges · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Pneumatic otoscopy is an examination that allows determination of the mobility of a patient's tympanic membrane (TM). The normal tympanic membrane moves in response to a puff of air pressure from the otoscope. Immobility may be due to fluid in the middle ear, a perforation, or tympanosclerosis, among other reasons. The detection of middle ear effusion by pneumatic otoscopy is key in establishing the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion. The inner ear is not visible with an otoscope. Cerumen impaction will impede function of the pneumatic otoscope. Otitis externa is an external ear infection that is diagnosed without the use of an otoscope.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Elderly clients frequently present with complaints of hardened cerumen and decreased hearing resulting from cerumen impaction aggravated by hearing aid wear.