Question

Z.R. is a 14-year-old male patient who has just returned from a week at summer camp. When his mother sees him, he is in obvious pain and points at his ear. The ear canal appears swollen and red. The mother takes him to the minor emergency center. Otitis externa is diagnosed, and Z.S.is given a prescription for neomycin-polymyxin B-hydrocortisone (Cortisporin). What patient instruction will the nurse provide Z.S. and his mother regarding application of the Cortisporin eardrops? Z.S. asks the nurse when he will feel better and be able to start swimming again. How will the nurse respond? 1. 2. Five-year-old Jimmy is brought to the pediatrician's office by his mother who states Jimmy has been crying, running a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and complaining of an earache. Your assessment reveals bulging, reddened eardrums, and bloody drainage in the left ear. The mother states that she has been using chewable baby aspirin for his fever, and that she has another child at home using ear drops so she has also been using those for Jimmy and states that "he hates those cold things going into his ears." A diagnosis of otitis media is made by the doctor, and an oral antibiotic is prescribed. What's wrong with this picture? Obviously, Jimmy's mother has a lack of knowledge regarding Jimmy's medications and treatments. What are some of the things that she has done incorrectly? What patient education should you, the nurse, provide for Jimmy's mother? 1. 2.

Answer 1

ANSWERS :

A. 1. While applying cortisporin ear drops to patient the following instructions should be given by the nurse to the mother. It includes : First lie on the side with infected ear upside. Take the medication from the bottle through dropper and then hold the medication dropper above the ear canal. Hold the ear lobe and stretch it up and back so that the ear drops can easily fall down into the ear. Lie down in that position for at least five to six minutes so that the drops gets easily absorbed in the ear without leakage.

2. Otitis externa is also known as swimmers ear. If the patient is recovering from the effects of otitis externa the nurse has to respond with some safety precautions to the client so that he can prevent from further infections. The nurse has to give education like - while swimming patient has to use ear plugs which will prevent entry of water inside the ear. Wearing of a bath cap or wet suite hood protects the ears. After swimming patient has to turn the head to a side and pull the ear lobes in various directions so that excess water inside the ears come out easily. And finally its better to avoid swimming for certain weeks until the infection is completely cured.