Oral and Otic Flashcards
Which factor determine exclusion from self-treatment?
-Signs of (systemic)infection: fever, pain, dullness of hearing
-Bleeding or trauma
-ruptured tympanic membrane
-cant follow instructions (technical help needed)
-hypersensitive to agents
-children <12 years bc they are prone to ear infection due to the anatomy
What would a patient complain of in case of excessive cerumen in the ear?
-Fullness or pressure in the ear
-Gradual hearing loss
-Dull pain
-Vertigo (feel dizzy)
-Tinnitus
-Chronic cough
What are Nonpharmacologic therapies used to treat excessive cerumen?
-use of wet washcloth draped over a finger (avoid use of swabs)
-Murine Earigate System: rinses away ear wax build-up with isotonic desalinated water
Ear drop technique:
-Wash hands and the ear
-Warm the eardrops to body temperature
-the head should be tilted and the ear must be pulled back and down (in kids over 3 pull up and back)
What is the active ingredient to remove cerumen from the ear?
The GOAL is to soften and remove excessive cerumen
Carbamide Peroxide 6.5% in anhydrous glycerin
-it creates effervescence when in contact with moisture which breaks down and loosens cerumen
-after loosening the cerumen -> Irrigation is used to rinse the ear with warm water
What is the dose of Carbamide peroxide?
-5-10 drops and let it remain for 15 min
-2x daily up to 4 days
Other products used for cerumen removal:
-Docusate sodium - for emollient effect, softener
-Dilute hydrogen peroxide
-Olive oil (sweet oil) - used as an emollient to soften ear wax
-Mineral oil
-Chamomilla – helps with inflammation
Causes and risk factors of water-clogged ears:
-can be caused by the shape of the ear or excessive cerumen -> cerumen can swell and trap water
-patients may have the sensation of water in the ear, hearing loss, itching, inflammation, infection
-risk factors: humid climate (summer), swimming, bathing, sweating, wax build up
How to treat water-clogged ear nonpharmacological:
The GOAL is to dry the ear
-tilt the ear downward and manipulate the auricle so that water can be expelled from the ear
-blow dryer around the ear (not in it)
-water-absorbing earplugs
-prevent water entry: bath cap, earplugs
The active ingredient for water-clogged ears:
-Isopropyl alcohol (alcohol as a drying agent, glycerin = emollient, solvent)
-Dose: 4-5 drops
-side-effects: Stichting, itching, burning
Causes and trigger of tooth hypersensitivity:
-Damaged teeth -> exposed Dentin -> fluid flow in dentin causes nerve stimulation and pain
-can be caused by injury, infection, acidic and sweet food, or dental procedures
-Trigger: heat, cold, pressure, sweet, acidic food
When do patients with tooth sensitivity need to be referred?
-Severe pain
-broken or loose teeth
-mouth sore associated with poor-fitting dentures
-bleeding, trauma
-fever or swelling
What are Pharmacologic Treatment Options for tooth sensitivity?
-Potassium nitrate 5%
-Arginine 8%
-> API in toothpaste
-have to be used for 2-4 weeks
-If hypersensitivity is not relieved within 14-21 days of using desensitizing toothpaste, refer to a dentist
Causes and risk factors of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis
(Canker Sores):
-cause not known
-ulceration inside the mouth: gum, tongue, cheek -> they are ROUND and FLAT
-risk factors: trauma (bite in your cheek), genetics, stress, smoking, food allergy
-persist for 5-14 days
When to refer patients with canker sores:
-present for more than 14 days
-it occurs frequently
-symptoms of infection (fever, swollen glands, rash)
-failure of self-treatment
-recurrence
