Otoscopic Inspection

Question 1

A safety technique for holding equipment when used on a pt. Both hands need to be touching and act as one, as the equipment being used rests somewhere on the two hands. When approaching the pt, both hands and the equipment act as one and you rest your hands firmly on the patients head.

Answer 1

Bridge and Brace Technique

Question 2

What are sanitation procedures during an otoscopy?

Answer 2

1. Wash hands thoroughly before contact with pt and equipment
2. Sterilize all equipment before using it on pt
3. Ensure that all equipment is placed on a sterile towel or surface
4. Use gloves when handling the specula tips or at least a sanitary wipe
5. Only use one speculum tip per ear to avoid cross-contamination
6. Alway has extra sanitized specula on hand if needed
7. Dispose of speculum tip after use
8. Wash hands

Question 3

Before otoscopy and before conducting an exam what are the Red Flag Questions (Tripple D, Double C and UPS

Answer 3

D- Drainage
D- Deformatity
D- Dizziness
C- Cerumen
C- Conductive Component 
U- Unilateral HL
P- Pain
S- Sudden HL

Question 4

What are some conditions (other than the Red Flag’s) to look for when conducting an otoscopic inspection before impressions.

Answer 4

Excessive hair growth in canal, enlarged ear canal cavity, prolapsed Ear canal, and aural discharge and inflammation of the after ear and/or canal—NO OBSTRUCTIONS

Question 5

During an otoscopic exam what should a normal/healthy Eardrum look like

Answer 5

ED appears pinkish gray in color and is circular in shape, the first of the 3 small bones (malleus) that transmit sound vibrations to the cochlea lies against the far side of the ear drum at approx 12:00 position

Question 6

What are some abnormal findings of the eardrum during an otoscopic exam

Answer 6

1. A hole- perforation in the Eardrum
2. Acute infection of ME (acute otitis media) which will cause the eardrum to appear abnormal in color, usually red or yellow and appear to bulge toward viewer
3. Eardrum retraction- will cause eardrum to appear as if it is sucked in and we rapped around the malleus
4. Eardrum Distention- caused by swelling or ballooning of the eardrum due to a buildup of fluid in ME

ALL OF THESE REQUIRE A REFERRAL AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE