The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a mastoidectomy. In an effort to prevent postoperative infection, what intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Teach the patient about the risks of ototoxic medications.
B) Instruct the patient to protect the ear from water for several weeks.
C) Teach the patient to remove cerumen safely at least once per week.
D) Instruct the patient to protect the ear from temperature extremes until healing is complete.
Ans: B
Feedback:
To prevent infection, the patient is instructed to prevent water from entering the external auditory canal for 6 weeks. Ototoxic medications and temperature extremes do not present a risk for infection. Removal of cerumen during the healing process should be avoided due to the possibility of trauma.
You might also like to view...
A patient recovering from a major burn injury is complaining of pain. Which medication should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?
1. morphine 4 mg IV every 5 minutes 2. morphine 10 mg IM ever 3–4 hours 3. meperidine 75 mg IM every 3–4 hours 4. meperidine 50 mg PO every 3–4 hours
A patient with Parkinson's disease informs you
that the stiffness and slowness of movements associated with the illness have become worse. What should you teach the patient about this change? a. "These changes are normal and expected as your disease progresses." b. "You will need to use a walker at all times to avoid falls and accidents." c. "Whenever your symptoms worsen, contact your prescriber right away." d. "If your prescriber increases your drug dosage these functions will improve."
A student in a nutrition class is giving a report on "Adolescent Obesity." One of the topics in the report is health risks increased by obesity. What health risk would you expect to be included in the report?
A) Hypercalcemia C) Hypercholesterolemia B) Type 1 diabetes mellitus D) Hyperlipidemia
A faith community consults with a nurse to spearhead a committee to investigate the feasibility of starting a parish nursing program in its church
The nurse contacts which of the following resources for information about the parish nurse concept and consultation and reference packets about parish nursing? a. Parish Nurse Coordinator Center b. International Parish Nurse Resource Center c. American Nurses Association d. National Center for Wellness