Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 69%
Simulated
A client reports new onset bilateral hearing loss after taking a medication with known ototoxic effects. Which type of hearing loss should the nurse suspect?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Ototoxic medications (e.g., aminoglycosides, cisplatin, loop diuretics) primarily damage the sensory hair cells in the cochlea or the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII), resulting in sensorineural hearing loss. This is typically bilateral and permanent. Conductive loss involves the outer/middle ear, presbycusis is age-related, and mixed involves both.