Pathophysiology Otitis media is a common pediatric condition “by the age of 2 years, 70% of all children have suffered at least one episode of acute otitis media” (Montague & Hussain, 2007). This fits into my area of clinical practice as an ENT nurse we evaluate patients who are referred for recurrent ear infections to determine if surgical intervention is recommended in the way of pressure equalization tubes, which act as a bypass to the eustachian tube. The pathophysiology of this condition is characterized by some form of intrinsic or extrinsic factor resulting in eustachian tube dysfunction from a classic understanding of the disease. However, some studies point to the initial inflammation occurring in the middle ear and the progressing
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Fluid may be noted behind the tympanic membrane and can be clear or yellow with air bubbles associated with a serous effusion or can be more mucopurulent. With the effusion, the tympanic membrane will become dull and then with acute infection will turn red. If perforation occurs drainage will be noted in the ear canal. To insufflation the tympanic membrane will be sluggish or not move. Physically patient can appear acutely ill/ fussy/ or present with no outward symptoms (Montague & Hussain, …show more content…
The use of these pressure equalization tubes bypasses the eustachian tube and allows for middle ear ventilation and drainage of any remaining fluid in the inner ear (McCance & Huether, 2014).
Priorities of care The priorities of care include management of symptoms and prevention of complications due to otitis media such as cholesteatoma, mastoiditis, brain abscess, meningitis, and speech delay due to hearing loss during the effusion. Treatment with antibiotics when appropriate and then surgical intervention with tympanostomy when ear infections become recurrent to prevent further adverse effects from medications, disease complications, and to decrease episodes of illness (McCance & Huether, 2014).
Essential teaching Essential teaching about otitis media includes the signs to watch for and home management with OTC pain medications as many infections resolve spontaneously. If an infection continues the patient should be evaluated. If antibiotics are prescribed follow up to determine if ear infection resolved is essential to determine if subsequent infections are a new infection or a continuation of a precious effusion. When children are prescribed antibiotics side effects can occur and parents should be educated about the use of probiotics during treatment (Burchum & Rosenthal,
Fluid may be noted behind the tympanic membrane and can be clear or yellow with air bubbles associated with a serous effusion or can be more mucopurulent. With the effusion, the tympanic membrane will become dull and then with acute infection will turn red. If perforation occurs drainage will be noted in the ear canal. To insufflation the tympanic membrane will be sluggish or not move. Physically patient can appear acutely ill/ fussy/ or present with no outward symptoms (Montague & Hussain, …show more content…
The use of these pressure equalization tubes bypasses the eustachian tube and allows for middle ear ventilation and drainage of any remaining fluid in the inner ear (McCance & Huether, 2014).
Priorities of care The priorities of care include management of symptoms and prevention of complications due to otitis media such as cholesteatoma, mastoiditis, brain abscess, meningitis, and speech delay due to hearing loss during the effusion. Treatment with antibiotics when appropriate and then surgical intervention with tympanostomy when ear infections become recurrent to prevent further adverse effects from medications, disease complications, and to decrease episodes of illness (McCance & Huether, 2014).
Essential teaching Essential teaching about otitis media includes the signs to watch for and home management with OTC pain medications as many infections resolve spontaneously. If an infection continues the patient should be evaluated. If antibiotics are prescribed follow up to determine if ear infection resolved is essential to determine if subsequent infections are a new infection or a continuation of a precious effusion. When children are prescribed antibiotics side effects can occur and parents should be educated about the use of probiotics during treatment (Burchum & Rosenthal,