10/24 Upper Respiratory Competency

Question 1

How do you perform the whisper test? What’s a positive test? What are you testing for?

Answer 1

say three letters or numbers behind pt while they occlude one ear, repeat with the other ear

repeat a different sequence if they respond incorrectly

> 4 wrong = + test

testing for hearing loss

Question 2

How sensitive and specific is the Whisper test?

Answer 2

90 - 100% sensitive

70 - 87% specific to hearing loss of >30 decibels

Question 3

How do you perform the Weber test? What’s a positive test? What are you testing for?

Answer 3

Strike tuning fork against heel of hand

place on top of head

ask pt. which ear they hear the sound louder in

one ear hearing the sound better = + test

ear that hears “worse” is the target ear

testing for hearing loss

Question 4

How do you perform the Rinne test? What’s a positive test? What are you testing for?

Answer 4

strike tuning fork with heel of hand

place on bony prominence (mastoid prominence) under ear and ask for the pt. to tell you when the sound goes away

Immediately move the tuning fork to over the ear canal and ask the pt. to state when the sound goes away

if bone conduction > air conduction = conductive loss
(when you move to air conduction pt. will state they don’t hear anything)

If bone conduction < air conduction = sensory-neuro loss in the opposite ear

Question 5

What do we call an ear infection of the outer ear?

Answer 5

otitis externa

Question 6

What ear infections will affect the inner ear?

Answer 6

labyrinthitis

vestibular neuritis

Question 7

What ear infections will affect the middle ear?

Answer 7

acute otitis media (AOM)

Otitis media w/ effusion

Question 8

What describes an acute otitis media with a purulent (pus) material in the middle ear?

Answer 8

Acute Suppurative OM

Question 9

What’s the difference between acute suppurative otitis media and otitis media with effusion?

Answer 9

Otitis Media with effusion lacks infection

Question 10

What are signs and symptoms of Acute Rhinosinusitis?

Answer 10

Cough
Sore throat
Nasal Congestion
Right ear pain/popping

No SOB
No Fever or chills

Question 11

What is Meniere’s disease?

Answer 11

disorder of the inner ear causing episodes of vertigo with fluctuating hearing loss

Question 12

Differentiate between conductive and sensory loss in Otosclerosis?

Answer 12

Conductive loss —> ossicle sclerosis into a single immovable mass

Sensory loss —> optic capsule sclerosis

Question 13

What does cobblestoning indicate?

Answer 13

Drainage going to back of throat