A patient, who was intubated with a nasotracheal tube for 5 days, is complaining of right ear pain and altered hearing. Which of the following might be the cause for the patient's complaint?
1. ineffective airway clearance
2. temporary occlusion of eustachian tubes while intubated caused an inner ear infection
3. underlying pneumonia
4. immunosuppression
2
Rationale: A nasotracheal tube can occlude the eustachian tubes, which increases the risk of development of ear pressure problems or inner ear infection. There is not enough information to support that the patient has ineffective airway clearance. There is also no evidence to support the patient has underlying pneumonia. Immunosuppression would not present with right ear pain and changes in hearing.
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