Asked by Ellen Peters on May 24, 2024
Verified
During an assessment of a 20-year-old Asian patient, the nurse notices that he has dry, flaky, white cerumen in his canal. What is the significance of this finding?
A) It represents poor hygiene.
B) It is probably the result of lesions from eczema in his ear.
C) It is a normal finding, and no further follow-up is necessary.
D) It could be indicative of change in cilia; the nurse should assess for hearing loss.
Cerumen
The scientific term for earwax, a substance produced in the ear canal that protects the ears from dust, foreign particles, and microorganisms.
Eczema
A condition causing inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough skin patches, sometimes accompanied by blisters.
Hygiene
Practices and conditions that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases, typically through cleanliness.
- Discriminate between disparate forms of auditory loss and ascertain their etiologies.
Verified Answer
MG
Melissa GarciaMay 25, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Asians and American Indians are more likely to have dry cerumen, which appears white and flaky, whereas blacks and whites usually have wet cerumen that appears honey-brown. Dry, flaky cerumen in an Asian patient is not a result of poor hygiene, lesions from eczema, or change in cilia.
Learning Objectives
- Discriminate between disparate forms of auditory loss and ascertain their etiologies.