Respiratory infection

An 8-year-old girl comes to your ambulatory care clinic with complaints of left ear pain for the past 3 days. She had respiratory infection a week ago. On physical examination, the tympanic membrane is bulging.

Answer the following questions:
What else should you ask the client?
What teaching would you reinforce to prevent the recurrence of otitis media?
What expected outcomes would be specific to this situation?
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Full Answer Section

     

Teaching to Prevent Recurrence of Otitis Media:

  • Hand hygiene: Emphasize the importance of frequent handwashing to prevent the spread of germs.
  • Avoid secondhand smoke: Exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of ear infections.
  • Breastfeeding: If the child is still breastfeeding, encourage continued breastfeeding as it can help protect against ear infections.
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  • Immunizations: Ensure that the child is up-to-date on all recommended immunizations, including the pneumococcal vaccine.
  • Proper medication use: Adhere to the prescribed course of antibiotics to treat the infection completely.
  • Avoid Eustachian tube dysfunction: Encourage the child to blow their nose gently to prevent Eustachian tube obstruction.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Reduced ear pain: The child should experience a significant reduction in ear pain within 24-48 hours of starting treatment.
  • Improved hearing: The child's hearing should return to normal as the infection resolves.
  • No fever: The child should have no fever or other signs of illness.
  • No recurrence of infection: The child should not experience another episode of otitis media in the near future.

By addressing these factors and providing appropriate care, we can help prevent the recurrence of otitis media and improve the child's overall health and well-being.

 

Sample Answer

     

Additional Questions to Ask the Client:

  • Severity of pain: How intense is the ear pain, and does it worsen with swallowing or lying down?
  • Fever: Has the child had a fever in the past few days?
  • Drainage: Has there been any drainage from the ear, and if so, what color is it?
  • Hearing loss: Has the child noticed any difficulty hearing?
  • Recent exposures: Has the child been exposed to anyone with an upper respiratory infection or ear infection?
  • Allergies: Does the child have any allergies, particularly to medications or environmental factors?
  • Medical history: Are there any other relevant medical conditions, such as allergies, asthma, or immunodeficiency?
  • Medication history: Has the child recently taken any antibiotics or other medications?