Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 91%
Simulated
The nurse is assessing the child's ear with an otoscope prior to administering medications to treat persistent otitis media. Which assessment finding should the nurse expect?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
A: This shows otitis media characterized by a bulging contour to the tympanic membrane, unclear ossicular landmarks, and yellowish middle ear effusion. B: This shows a perforated tympanic membrane, not otitis media. C: This shows a normal left ear tympanic membrane. The ossicular landmarks can be identified through the tympanic membrane. The nurse would not expect to see a normal tympanic membrane when the child has persistent otitis media. D: This shows the presence of a foreign body in the ear canal.