The nurse notes that the cerumen (earwax) in a patient's ear may indicate an infection. The nurse makes that assessment because of which characteristic of the cerumen?
1. It is nearly absent.
2. It is hardened, dry, and foul-smelling.
3. It is brown, wet, and sticky.
4. It is dry, white, and flaky.
2
Rationale 1: Cerumen lubricates the ear and is always present.
Rationale 2: Hardened, dry, or foul-smelling cerumen may indicate an infection.
Rationale 3: Cerumen should be moist and may vary in color from brown to white.
Rationale 4: In a majority of Asians and Native Americans, cerumen is dry, white, and flaky.
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