A nurse is preparing to irrigate an adult client's ear due to cerumen accumulation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Pull the client's pinna down and back to apply the solution.

Perform the procedure using sterile gloves.

Administer the irrigation solution at room temperature to the ear

Apply a stream of pressure as long as the client can tolerate.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Rationale:

A. Pull the client's pinna down and back to apply the solution.: Pulling the pinna down and back is the correct technique for infants and young children due to the angle of the ear canal. For adults, the pinna should be pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal. Using the incorrect direction can prevent proper visualization and reduce effectiveness of the irrigation.

B. Perform the procedure using sterile gloves.: Ear irrigation is a clean procedure, not a sterile one. The external ear canal is not a sterile environment, and using sterile gloves does not reduce infection risk. Clean gloves provide adequate protection while maintaining proper hygiene during cerumen removal.

C. Administer the irrigation solution at room temperature to the ear.: Using a solution at room temperature prevents stimulation of the vestibular system, which can cause dizziness, nausea, and vertigo. A temperature-neutral solution promotes client comfort and reduces physiologic irritation while effectively helping soften and remove cerumen.

D. Apply a stream of pressure as long as the client can tolerate.: Using forceful or prolonged pressure can damage the tympanic membrane or push cerumen deeper into the canal. Irrigation should be done gently, allowing the solution to flow along the canal wall and stopping immediately if the client reports pain or dizziness to avoid injury.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Rationale:

A. Abdomen: The abdominal skin may be loose due to age-related changes, weight fluctuations, or prior pregnancies, making it less reliable for assessing dehydration in older adults. Lifting skin here may give a false impression of skin turgor.

B. Shoulder: Skin over the shoulder can be affected by aging, sun exposure, or decreased subcutaneous tissue, which can distort the assessment of hydration status. It is not the preferred site for older adults.

C. Neck: The skin of the neck is thin and may show wrinkles or sagging unrelated to hydration. Assessing turgor here is less accurate in older clients and may overestimate skin elasticity changes due to aging.

D. Sternum: The skin over the sternum is relatively less affected by age-related changes and provides a more reliable site for assessing turgor in older adults. Lifting this area allows the nurse to evaluate hydration status more accurately without interference from natural skin laxity elsewhere.

A. Temperature 38.2° C (100.8° F) B. Heart rate 104/min C. Respiratory rate 18/min D. BP 108/70 mm Hg E. SaO2 97% on room air F. Client reports feeling unwell G. Client states breasts feel firm, heavy, and warm with moderate nipple discomfort while breastfeeding. H. Uterus firm at 1 cm above the umbillous and tender to palpation. I. Fundus boggy but firmed with massage J. Moderate amount of dark brown, foul-smelling lochia noted. K. No bowel movement since birth, hypoactive bowel sounds. L. WBC count 33,000/mm³ (5,000 to 10,000/mm³)

Correct Answer is ["A","F","G","H","I","J", "L"]

Explanation

Rationale for correct choices

• Temperature 38.2° C (100.8° F). An elevated temperature in a postpartum client may indicate infection, especially in the context of prolonged rupture of membranes and cesarean delivery. Prompt follow-up is required to identify the source and initiate treatment to prevent progression to sepsis.

• WBC count 33,000/mm³. A markedly elevated WBC suggests an active inflammatory or infectious process. In postpartum clients, leukocytosis can signal endometritis, mastitis, or surgical site infection, necessitating immediate assessment and intervention.

• Client reports feeling unwell. A general feeling of being ill or "not right" in a postpartum client with fever is a significant subjective finding often preceding more objective signs of infection/sepsis.

• Uterus firm at 1 cm above the umbillous and tender to palpation. Uterine tenderness combined with fever and foul-smelling lochia is a cardinal sign of endometritis (infection of the uterine lining), the most common postpartum infection, especially after Cesarean section.

• Moderate amount of dark brown, foul-smelling lochia. Foul-smelling lochia is a hallmark of uterine infection such as endometritis. Combined with fever and leukocytosis, this finding warrants urgent evaluation, monitoring, and possible initiation of antibiotics.

• Breasts firm, heavy, and warm with nipple discomfort. These signs are consistent with mastitis, particularly in a breastfeeding client. Early recognition and treatment with supportive measures or antibiotics prevent worsening infection and systemic involvement.

• Fundus boggy but firmed with massage. A boggy fundus indicates uterine atony, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Immediate attention is required to prevent excessive blood loss and maintain hemodynamic stability.

Rationale for incorrect choices

• Vital signs: Heart rate while slightly elevated can be physiologic due to postpartum recovery, mild fever, or pain. Respiratory rate is within normal limits for adults; does not indicate acute compromise. Blood pressure is within normal postpartum range and does not signal hemodynamic instability at this time. Oxygen saturation is normal, indicating adequate oxygenation.

• Surgical incision well approximated with slight edema, no redness or drainage: Mild edema at the incision site is expected and not indicative of infection at this time. Regular monitoring is appropriate.

• No bowel movement since birth, hypoactive bowel sounds: Delayed bowel movements and hypoactive sounds are common postpartum, especially after cesarean section. Monitoring and supportive care are sufficient unless other symptoms develop.

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A nurse is preparing to irrigate an adult client's ear due to cerumen accumulation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing the skin turgor of an older adult client. In which of the following areas should the nurse lift the skin?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is ["A","F","G","H","I","J", "L"]

Explanation

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