A client presents with itching and pain in the left ear that started several days after beginning swim lessons. The nurse observes a discharge coming from the ear with a musty odor. How should the nurse expect the ear to appear when performing an otoscopic examination?

A) Normal mental status for age: This response would suggest that the client's cognitive functions are appropriate for her age and educational background, which is not the case here. The response to the proverb "Glass Houses" indicates a lack of understanding or incorrect interpretation, which is not consistent with normal mental status.

B) Impaired memory: Impaired memory would typically manifest as difficulty recalling past events, recent information, or specific details. The client's response to the proverb does not indicate a memory problem but rather a difficulty in interpreting abstract concepts.

C) Impaired concentration: Impaired concentration would usually be indicated by the client's inability to focus on the conversation, becoming easily distracted, or having trouble maintaining attention. The client’s response to the proverb suggests more of a cognitive processing issue rather than an attention issue.

D) Impaired thinking: This is the most accurate conclusion. The client's response to the proverb "Glass Houses" ("It will break the windows") suggests difficulty with abstract thinking and interpreting common proverbs. Proverbs are often used to assess abstract thinking and reasoning abilities. A correct response would typically relate to the proverb's intended meaning about hypocrisy or not criticizing others when you have faults yourself, indicating that the client might have issues with abstract reasoning and impaired thinking.

A) Looking at the client from the side, observe the size and shape of the chest wall:
This action is more related to inspecting the physical appearance and symmetry of the chest wall but does not assess tactile fremitus.

B) Use the fingertips to compress tissue over the lungs for evidence of a crackling sensation:
This action may be more relevant for assessing subcutaneous emphysema (crepitus) but is not the correct method for assessing tactile fremitus.

C) Place the palm of the hand on the chest wall to feel vibrations while the client speaks:
This is the correct action to assess tactile fremitus. By placing the palm of the hand on various areas of the chest wall while the client repeats a phrase such as "ninety-nine," the nurse can feel for vibrations. Increased tactile fremitus can indicate consolidation, as seen in pneumonia.

D) Use a stethoscope to listen to and compare breath sounds anteriorly and posteriorly:
This action involves auscultation, which is important for assessing breath sounds but does not assess tactile fremitus directly.