Biology Forums - Study Force

What instructions are appropriate for the nurse to include when teaching a client ways to prevent swimmer's ear?
 
  1. Use of glucocorticoid drops to prevent inflammation
  2. Application of 2 percent acetic acid to the ear canal after swimming
  3. Gently cleaning the ear canal with a swab to water or debris
  4. Use of earwax-dissolving agents to help prevent irritation

Correct Answer: 2

Rationale 1: Use of glucocorticoid drops to prevent inflammation is incorrect. Use of glucocorticoids can cause ear damage if used for long periods.
Rationale 2: Applying 2 percent acetic acid to the ear canal after swimming acts as a drying agent and restores the ear canal to its normal acidic condition.
Rationale 3: Gently cleaning the ear canal with a swab to water or debris is incorrect. The client should use a bulb syringe for removing debris rather than placing objects like cotton swabs in the ear canal.
Rationale 4: Use of earwax-dissolving agents to help prevent irritation is incorrect. These agents are helpful in keeping the ear canal free from excess cerumen but do not aid in preventing swimmer's ear.

Global Rationale: Applying 2 percent acetic acid to the ear canal after swimming acts as a drying agent and restores the ear canal to its normal acidic condition. Use of glucocorticoid drops to prevent inflammation is incorrect. Use of glucocorticoids can cause ear damage if used for long periods. Gently cleaning the ear canal with a swab to water or debris is incorrect. The client should use a bulb syringe for removing debris rather than placing objects like cotton swabs in the ear canal. Use of earwax-dissolving agents to help prevent irritation is incorrect. These agents are helpful in keeping the ear canal free from excess cerumen but do not aid in preventing swimmer's ear.