The nurse encounters an infant with irritability from acute otitis media while working in the pediatric clinic. The nurse should know that the infant is at much higher risk than an adult for otitis media due to which of the following?
The nurse encounters an infant with irritability from acute otitis media while working in the pediatric clinic. The nurse should know that the infant is at much higher risk than an adult for otitis media due to which of the following?
A. Immature cardiac sphincter
[2%]
B. Feeding in a semi-Fowler position
[4%]
C. Introduction of solid foods
[1%]
D. Narrower, shorter, and more horizontal Eustachian tubes
[93%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Child Health
Lesson
Visual/Auditory
Client Need
Test Plan
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Related Topic
Development Stages and Transitions
Item Type
Item Type
Knowledge/Comprehension
Explanation
Choice D is correct. Infants have more horizontal, shorter, and narrower eustachian tubes, which makes them more prone to otitis media. The eustachian machine is a conduit from the middle ear to the nasopharynx. An inflammatory swelling in the eustachian tube can cause it to be blocked, trapping the fluid in the middle ear and eventually leading to infection. Several factors, such as allergies, common cold, viral flu, sinus infection, enlarged adenoids, and drinking while lying down (in infants), may predispose to swelling/ blockage of the eustachian tube. In an adult, the eustachian tube typically measures 36 mm and is angled at 45 degrees. In infants, it is shorter (18 mm) and has a more horizontal (angle at 10 degrees). Such a shorter tube predisposes to infection via reflux of bacteria from the nasopharynx
Choice A is incorrect. An immature cardiac sphincter causes vomiting, not otitis media.
Choice B is incorrect. Feeding in a semi-Fowler position helps decrease the risk of otitis media because the infant is not lying flat.
Choice C is incorrect. The introduction of solid foods has no bearing on the incidence of otitis media.
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2 Key Topics
Newborn Assessment
