A parent comments that her infant has had several ear infections in the past few months. Why are infants more susceptible to otitis media?
Infants are in a supine or prone position most of the time.
Sucking on a nipple creates middle ear pressure.
The Eustachian tube is short, straight, and wide.
Sucking on a nipple creates middle ear pressure.
The Correct Answer is C
C. The Eustachian tube in infants is shorter, straighter, and wider compared to adults. This anatomy makes it easier for bacteria or viruses from the nasopharynx to travel up the Eustachian tube and infect the middle ear, contributing to the increased susceptibility to otitis media.
A. Infants spend a significant amount of time lying down, whether in a supine (on their backs) or prone (on their stomachs) position. However, this does not increase the risk of otitis media
B. Sucking on a nipple does create pressure changes in the middle ear but it's not the primary reason infants are more susceptible to otitis media.
D. Sucking on a nipple does create pressure changes in the middle ear but it's not the primary reason infants are more susceptible to otitis media
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. This is the correct characteristic of decerebrate posturing. Decerebrate posturing is characterized by rigid extension and pronation (turning inward) of the arms and legs. It indicates severe neurological dysfunction and increased intracranial pressure, often involving damage to the brainstem.

A. This characteristic is not associated with decerebrate posturing. Adduction refers to movement toward the midline of the body, which is not typically observed in decerebrate posturing.
B. This description is not characteristic of decerebrate posturing. Decerebrate posturing involves extension, not flexion, of the upper extremities, along with extension and pronation (not adduction) of the lower extremities.
C. Flaccid paralysis refers to the absence of muscle tone and movement, which is not characteristic of decerebrate posturing. Decerebrate posturing involves increased muscle tone and abnormal, rigid extension of the arms and legs.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. The Eustachian tube in infants is shorter, straighter, and wider compared to adults. This anatomy makes it easier for bacteria or viruses from the nasopharynx to travel up the Eustachian tube and infect the middle ear, contributing to the increased susceptibility to otitis media.
A. Infants spend a significant amount of time lying down, whether in a supine (on their backs) or prone (on their stomachs) position. However, this does not increase the risk of otitis media
B. Sucking on a nipple does create pressure changes in the middle ear but it's not the primary reason infants are more susceptible to otitis media.
D. Sucking on a nipple does create pressure changes in the middle ear but it's not the primary reason infants are more susceptible to otitis media
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