A patient with acute ear pain and drainage comes into the community clinic. Which diagnostic tests should the nurse prepare to collect prior to beginning treatment for this patient? (Select all that apply.)
a. Biopsy
b. Audiometric testing
c. Complete blood count
d. Rinne and Weber tests
e. Culture of ear discharge
ANS: C, D, E
For an external ear infection diagnostic tests include a complete blood cell count (CBC), specifically WBC counts, and cultures of discharge. This will help diagnose the infection. Culture and sensitivity tests isolate the specific infective organism and determine which antibiotics would be most effective to treat the infection. The Rinne and Weber tests can indicate conductive hearing impairment. A. A biopsy would be indicated for an ear mass. B. Audiometric testing would be appropriate for the patient with impacted cerumen.
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