Earache + Speech/Hearing Flashcards
if a child came in with ear ache what questions would you ask first?
How long have you had the symptoms for- acute or chronic condition
Have you had these symptoms before- showing recurrent or chronic conditon
How do you know if the child actually has an earache?
He points to the ears and says it hurst
He holds his hands over his ears
He is tugginh on his ears
His ears are red
What else do you need to know if the child presents with fever
other symptoms like irritability crying lethargy
What other question would you ask related to the ears?
Discharge: when, what, how much, how long, smelly
Hearing: think a little about how you would assess that in a 2 year old
Any previous problems
How can blocked nose lead to a ear infection
Blocked nose due to large adenoids might predispose to ear infections
How can a childs past medical history suggest an ear infection
COndition that might affect the immunity like downs syndrome and cystuc fubroiss
how can a childs social history suggest ear infection
Passive smoking, attendance at nursery?
If a child came in with ear ache how would you go ablut examinig the patient?
CHeck pulse and temp
Look at ears with aurosope
nose throat and general examination too
Name the very common ear infection
Acute otitis media
What is Acute otitis media?
An acute inflammation of the middle ear
Initially inflammation of the ear drum and middle ear mucosa
Fluid also in the middle ear
Why is Acute otitis media very common in young children?
Because children have shorter, wider and immature eustachian tubes. These are the tubes that connect the middle ear to the nasopharyx.
Young children have adenoidal tissue that is located between the Eustachian tubes. This is prone to infection and enlargement .
The immune system is immature
Acute otitis media is more common in…..
Autumn and winter
children who attend nursery
children who are bottle fed
children who are exosed to passive smoking
Patho of Acute otitis media
Viral URTI
inflammation and hyperemia of the middle ear mucosa
Mucoid exudate
Mucopurulent exudate
Perforation of tympanic membrane
Wht is a common cause of Acute otitis media
viral infections
Bacteria commonly responsible for Acute otitis media include
S pneumoniae, H influenzae, M. catarrhalis
