A patient has been diagnosed with fungal otitis externa (otomycosis). The nurse correctly explains that the first course of treatment the patient should expect is
a. antibiotic ear drops.
b. intravenous (IV) antifungal agents.
c. acidifying drops for 1 week.
d. oral antibiotics.
ANS: C
As a rule, otomycosis can be managed with thorough cleansing and application of acidifying drops (2% acetic acid solution applied three to four times a day for 7 days.) If that does not work, an antifungal drug solution can be tried. If the infection fails to respond to the drug, oral antifungal therapy may be needed.
Neither antibiotic ear drops nor oral antibiotics are indicated as the first course of treatment.
IV antifungal agents are not indicated at all.
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