A patient has been admitted after an accident at work. During the assessment, the patient is having trouble hearing and states, "I don't know what is the matter. All of a sudden I can't hear you out of my left ear!" What should the nurse do next?

A) Irrigate the ear with rubbing alcohol.
B) Notify the patient's health care provider.
C) Prepare to remove cerumen from the patient's ear.
D) Make note of this finding for the report to the next shift.

Cerumen

A natural, waxy substance produced by glands in the ear canal that protects the ears by trapping dust and small particles, preventing them from reaching the eardrum.

Health Care Provider

A professional who offers preventative, curative, promotional, or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to individuals, families or communities.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a liquid solution primarily used as a topical antiseptic and cleaning agent, consisting of isopropyl or ethyl alcohol.