An 82-year-old patient who is being admitted to the hospital ...

[jessicacav]

An 82-year-old patient who is being admitted to the hospital repeatedly asks the nurse to speak up so that I can hear you. Which action should the nurse take?
 
  a. Overenunciate while speaking.
  b. Speak normally but more slowly.
  c. Increase the volume when speaking.
  d. Use more facial expressions when talking.

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a patient who has recently been treated with amoxicillin for acute otitis media of the right ear. Which finding is a priority to report to the health care provider?
 
  a. The patient has a temperature of 100.6 F.
  b. The patient complains of popping in the ear.
  c. The patient frequently asks the nurse to repeat information.
  d. The patient states that the right ear has a feeling of fullness.

[xMRAZ]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Patient understanding of the nurse's speech will be enhanced by speaking at a normal tone, but more slowly. Increasing the volume, overenunciating, and exaggerating facial expressions will not improve the patient's ability to comprehend the nurse.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The fever indicates that the infection may not be resolved and the patient might need further antibiotic therapy. A feeling of fullness, popping of the ear, and decreased hearing are symptoms of otitis media with effusion. These symptoms are normal for weeks to months after an episode of acute otitis media and usually resolve without treatment.