The nurse is performing a middle ear assessment on a 15-year-old patient who has had a history of chronic ear infections. When examining the right tympanic membrane, the nurse sees the presence of dense white patches
The tympanic membrane is otherwise unremarkable. It is pearly, with the light reflex at 5 o'clock and landmarks visible. The nurse should:
a.
Refer the patient for the possibility of a fungal infection.
b.
Know that these are scars caused from frequent ear infections.
c.
Consider that these findings may represent the presence of blood in the middle ear.
d.
Be concerned about the ability to hear because of this abnormality on the tympanic membrane.
ANS: B
Dense white patches on the tympanic membrane are sequelae of repeated ear infections. They do not necessarily affect hearing.
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