The mother of a 2-year-old is concerned because her son has had three ear infections in the past year. What would be an appropriate response by the nurse?
a. "It is unusual for a small child to have frequent ear infections unless something else is wrong."
b. "We need to check the immune system of your son to determine why he is having so many ear infections."
c. "Ear infections are not uncommon in infants and toddlers because they tend to have more cerumen in the external ear."
d. "Your son's eustachian tube is shorter and wider than yours because of his age, which allows for infections to develop more easily."
ANS: D
The infant's eustachian tube is relatively shorter and wider than the adult's eustachian tube, and its position is more horizontal; consequently, pathogens from the nasopharynx can more easily migrate through to the middle ear. The other responses are not appropriate.
You might also like to view...
Fasting for an extended period can:
1. Increase drug absorption due to lack of competition between food and the drug 2. Alter the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting absorption 3. Cause vasoconstriction, leading to decreased drug absorption 4. Shrink the stomach, causing decreased surface area for drug absorption
An IV infusion order for a patient reads "1000 mL dextrose 5% in normal saline intravenously, immediately." What additional information does the nurse ask the prescriber to provide?
a. Drip rate b. Drop factor c. Duration d. Start time
In a POMR charting method of documentation, which of the following items are used? (Select all that apply.)
a. Progress notes b. Database c. Medical diagnosis d. Problem list e. Care plan
By following a shared leadership model, the nurse manager believes that staff members will learn to function synergistically. Some teams function synergistically because members:
a. Do not volunteer unwanted information. b. Actively listen to each other. c. Listen to the person who believes he or she is an expert. d. Do not speak unless they are absolutely sure they are correct in their views.