NCLEX Nursing Quiz On Ear Disorders

The nurse would instruct the client to avoid sudden head movements to assist in controlling vertigo. Meniere's disease is a condition that affects the inner ear and can cause episodes of severe dizziness and vertigo. Sudden head movements can trigger these symptoms and worsen the vertigo. By avoiding sudden head movements, the client can minimize the risk of triggering an episode and help control their symptoms. Increasing fluid intake, lying still and watching television, or increasing sodium in the diet would not directly address the issue of vertigo in Meniere's disease.

A low-sodium diet is most likely to be prescribed for a client with Meniere's disease. Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. One of the main triggers for these symptoms is an increase in fluid volume in the inner ear. Sodium can contribute to fluid retention, so reducing sodium intake can help decrease fluid volume and alleviate symptoms. Therefore, a low-sodium diet would be the most appropriate dietary recommendation for a client with Meniere's disease.

The nurse would instruct the client with Meniere's disease to get up slowly and turn the entire body to prevent vertigo. This is because sudden movements can trigger vertigo episodes in individuals with Meniere's disease. By getting up slowly and turning the entire body, the client can minimize the risk of experiencing dizziness and vertigo.

The cochlea is the correct answer because it is the part of the ear that contains the receptors for hearing. It is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear. Inside the cochlea, there are tiny hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain for interpretation. The cochlea plays a vital role in our ability to perceive and process sound.

Tinnitus is the most common client complaint associated with a disorder in the inner ear. Tinnitus refers to the perception of ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears, which can be constant or intermittent. It is often caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, which are responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals that the brain can interpret. This damage can result from various factors such as exposure to loud noises, aging, or certain medical conditions. Therefore, tinnitus is a common symptom that indicates a disorder in the inner ear.

Presbycusis is a term used to describe age-related hearing loss. It is a sensorineural hearing loss, which means it is caused by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is commonly associated with aging and is characterized by a gradual loss of hearing ability. The nurse plans care based on this diagnosis, understanding that the client's ability to hear and communicate may be compromised.

A nurse would question an order to irrigate the ear canal in the case of a perforated tympanic membrane because irrigating the ear canal could potentially introduce fluid into the middle ear, which can lead to infection or damage to the delicate structures of the ear. A perforated tympanic membrane is a hole or tear in the eardrum, and it can increase the risk of complications from ear irrigation.

The correct answer is middle ear. The middle ear contains three small bones called the ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the oval window of the cochlea. These bones amplify and transmit the sound waves, allowing them to be converted into electrical signals by the hair cells in the cochlea, which are then sent to the brain for interpretation.

The nurse would anticipate the initial intervention to be the installation of diluted alcohol. This is because alcohol can be used to immobilize the insect and make it easier to remove from the ear. It is a common first-line treatment for foreign bodies in the ear. Irrigation of the ear may be done after the alcohol is used to remove the insect. Antibiotic ear drops may be prescribed if there is an infection present, but it is not the initial intervention. Corticosteroid ear drops are not typically used for the removal of foreign bodies in the ear.

Warming the solution: Instilling cold ear drops can cause dizziness or vertigo because the cold liquid can stimulate the vestibular system in the inner ear. Warming the drops to body temperature helps prevent this reaction and ensures a more comfortable experience for the patient.