A patient tells the nurse that the only way he can adequately clean his ears is with a cotton-tipped applicator. What is the nurse's best action regarding this statement?
1. Instruct the patient on the proper use of cotton-tipped applicators.
2. Educate the patient about the danger of using cotton-tipped applicators for this purpose.
3. Instruct the patient to use cotton-tipped applicators only when necessary.
4. Check to see if the ears are clean.
2
Rationale 1: There is no proper way to use cotton-tipped applicators because they should never be used to clean the ears.
Rationale 2: Cotton-tipped applicators or any small object should never be used to clean inside the ears because of the risk of tympanic membrane rupture. Such objects may also force cerumen further into the ear, causing a blockage.
Rationale 3: Cotton-tipped applicators should never be used to clean the ears under any circumstances.
Rationale 4: Checking the ears for a blockage is appropriate in any exam, but educating the patient has a higher priority.
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