NURSING CARE RELATED TO THE SENSORY AND
NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEMS

1-27

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1-27. OTITIS MEDIA

a. Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, caused by entrance of pathogenic organisms. Pathogens may enter through:

(1) The eustachian tube.

 

(2) The external ear canal, through a perforated tympanic membrane.

b. Signs and symptoms include:

(1) Pain (earache, headache).

 

(2) Difficulty hearing.

 

(3) Fever.

 

(4) Anorexia.

 

(5) Nausea.

 

(6) Vomiting.

 

(7) Noises in the ear or head.

 

(8) Distended tympanic membrane.

 

(9) Closed eustachian tube (secondary to swelling).

c. Treatment.

(1) Local heat.

 

(2) Aspirin.

 

(3) Decongestants.

 

(4) Antibiotics.

 

(5) Myringotomy, if indicated.

d. Nursing Implications.

(1) The mucous membrane that lines the middle ear, eustachian tube, and pharynx is a continuous one. For this reason, infection may spread quickly and easily from one area to

another. Nursing personnel should be alert for signs of spreading infection.

 

(2) Nursing personnel should be alert for signs that the tympanic membrane may rupture.

(a) Increased pain.

(b) Swollen tympanic membrane (bulging).

e. Myringotomy.

(1) A myringotomy is a small incision into the bottom of the tympanic membrane.

 

(2) Myringotomy is performed to:

(a) Relieve pressure.

 

(b) Allow drainage of pus or fluid.

 

(c) Prevent spontaneous rupture of the tympanic membrane.

(3) After a myringotomy, the tympanic membrane heals rapidly and hearing is not adversely affected.

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