Chapter 14: Eye, Ear, Throat, and Mouth Agents

Chapter 14: Eye, Ear, Throat, and Mouth Agents

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A primary care nurse practitioner (NP) sees a patient who has a 1-week history of watery, painful eyes with copious amounts of clear discharge and a sore throat. The NP observes bilateral erythema of the conjunctivae and palpates enlarged preauricular lymph nodes. The NP should prescribe _____ drops.

ANS:  B

The patient has symptoms of viral conjunctivitis; clear discharge is characteristic. Antibiotic drops are often prescribed to prevent a bacterial infection. Ganciclovir drops are antiviral drops but are reserved for patients with a clinical diagnosis of herpetic keratitis by an ophthalmologist. Sympathomimetic drops are used to treat glaucoma. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drops are sometimes used for allergic conjunctivitis.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   175

2. A primary care NP examines a patient who complains of chronic, intermittent watery eyes and runny nose. The NP notes cobblestone-like papillae inside the upper eyelid with nonerythematous conjunctivae. The NP should:

ANS:  A

This patient has symptoms characteristic of allergic conjunctivitis. Any allergic rhinitis should be treated first. Intranasal corticosteroids are often effective. It is not necessary to refer to an ophthalmologist. Trifluridine is an antiviral solution used to treat documented herpetic keratitis. Fluorescein dye is used to assess for corneal abrasions or tears.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   175 – 176

3. The primary care NP teaches a patient how to instill eye drops for a prescription that requires two drops twice daily. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

ANS:  B

One drop of medication is all the eye can retain. If more than one drop is used, teach the patient to wait 5 minutes before applying the second drop. The eyes should not be rubbed after instillation of the drops. Patients should look down for a few seconds and then close the eyes. Soft contact lenses can absorb the medication and should not be worn.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   176

4. The primary care NP examines an adolescent who complains of severe right ear pain for the past 3 days. When retracting the pinna of the right ear to examine the ear, the NP notes erythema, edema, and pain and a large amount of white exudate in the ear canal. The NP should prescribe:

ANS:  B

This patient has otitis externa. Ciprofloxacin otic drops instilled onto a wick in the ear canal are indicated to treat this condition. Benzocaine is a local anesthetic and would not treat the infection. Glycerin oil drops are used to soften cerumen. An acetic acid, boric acid, and isopropyl alcohol solution is used to prevent, not treat, otitis externa.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   181 – 182