Following myringotomy for acute otitis media, the patient should be instructed by the nurse on what aspect of home management?

Question

1. Avoid sudden changes in barometric pressure.
2. Ear irrigations should be placed on the wall of the external canal.
3. Sterile, cotton-tipped swabs can be used to clean the ear drainage.
4. Swimming is restricted for approximately two weeks.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
The patient should be instructed to avoid sudden changes in air pressure. No ear irrigations should be done during the postoperative as solution could enter through the tubes and contaminate the middle ear. Sterile swabs are not to be placed in the external canal because of the potential of dislodging the tubes, as well as the potential for middle ear contamination. Therefore, nothing should be inserted into the ear following surgery. A sterile cotton ball can be placed loosely at the external opening of the ear, not in the canal or near the tympanic membrane, to collect any drainage, but it should not be packed deeply into the ear canal. Swimming, submerging in water, and getting water in the ear are contraindicated for several months (not weeks) due to the risk of water contamination in the middle ear.