Ear Pathologies Flashcards
Impacted Cerumen
Build up of ear wax
Impacted Cerumen S&S
- loss of hearing
- earache
- tinnitus
- itching
Impacted Cerumen Treatment
ear wax removal
Otitis Externa (AKA Swimmers Ear)
infection & inflammation of the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane (bacterial or fungal)
Otitis Externa S&S
- itching/burning
- edema
- scaling
- crusting
- pain with pulling of pinna
Otitis Externa Treatment
- Ear drops
- oral analgesics for pain
- keep ear dry
Otitis Externa RTP
keep out of pool for 24 hrs of antibiotics
Otitis Media
Fluid in the middle ear causing infection (bacterial or fungal)
Otitis Media S&S
- fever
- otalgia
- feeling of fullness in ear
- tinnitus
- headaches
- hearing loss
Otitis Media Treatment
antibiotics
Otitis Media RTP
once afebrile
Ruptured Tympanic Membrane
- Rupture or perforation of the eardrum
- caused by air pressure, blunt trauma, or infection
Ruptured Tympanic Membrane S&S
- audible whistling
- tinnitus
- loss of hearing
- pus or discharge
- vertigo
Ruptured Tympanic Membrane Treatment
refer
Ruptured Tympanic Membrane RTP
at physician discretion
Auricular Hematoma
compression/shearing condition caused subcutaneous bleeding in the auricular cartilage of the ear
Auricular Hematoma S&S
hemorrhage and fluid accumulation in the helix fossa & concha
Auricular Hematoma Treatment
- Ice & compression
- aspiration by physician
- dental rolls or collodion packs for prolonged pressure
Battle’s Sign
- bruising behind ear on mastoid process
- suggests skull fracture
- typically does not show up immediately
