OTITIS MEDIA  Red, bulging eardrum

 Fluid in the middle ear

DEFINITION  Infected middle ear
Otitis Media - is an inflammation of the middle ear  Bullous myringitis
(the cavity between the eardrum and the inner ear).  Normal eardrum
 Runny nose
CAUSES
Bacteria or viruses that get inside the ear are the  Sinus congestion
most common causes of otitis media. These bacteria or  Fever
viruses can initially cause sore throats, colds, or other 3. Cultures of fluid from the middle ear
respiratory or breathing problems and then spread to the 4. Complete blood count
middle ear. 5. Tympanometry:
a. Tests the movement of the eardrum
SYMPTOMS
 Earache MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
 Hearing loss i. Drug Therapy
 Dizziness  Acetaminophen (Tylenol,
 Fever Tempra, Panadol) – for fever
 Chills  NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
 Ear discharge – for pain
 Nausea  Anti-bacterial (Amoxicillin,
 Mild sore throat Ofloxacin)
 Itching ii. Surgery
 Vertigo  Tympanocentesis - to drain
 Vomiting infected fluid from the middle ear
 Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears)  Myringotomy - makes a small
 Headache incision in the eardrum and
SYMPTOMS FOR INFANTS: inserts a tiny ventilation tube
 Tugging at the ear
called a tympanostomy tube. The
 Fussy infant
tube promotes drainage of fluid
 Vomiting
from the middle ear and keeps it
 Poor feeding in infants
 Frequent crying from recurring.
 Fever
 Nasal discharge NURSING INTERVENTIONS
 Ear drainage 1.  Apply warm, moist compresses, heating pads, or
hot water bottles to the patient's ears to relieve
RISK FACTORS inflammation and pain.
 Age under 5
 Any condition that causes a weakening of the immune 2. Use cotton wicks to gently clean the draining ear or
system such as: to apply topical antibiotic drugs.
o Diabetes
o Organ transplant 3. Keep eardrops at room temperature because
o Chemotherapy: the administration of instillation of cold eardrops may cause vertigo.
medicines that kill cancer cells.
o AIDS 4. If the patient has impaired hearing, ensure that he
 Allergic rhinitis understands everything that's explained to him,
 Chronic sinusitis using written messages if necessary.
 Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
 Exposure to high altitude 5. Instruct the patient on safe ways to blow his nose
 Exposure to smoke and clean his ears.
 Food allergies
 Pacifier use after six months of age 6. Stress the use of earplugs when swimming or avoid
swimming
 Prior otitis media
 Ruptured eardrum or other ear injury
7.  Explain signs and symptoms that require medical
 Scuba diving or Swimming
attention.
 Upper respiratory infection 8. Administer prescribed medications as directed.
 Acetaminophen for pain
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
 NSAIDS for fever
1. Audiometry o Ibuprofen
2. History and physical exam
o Naproxen
i. Physical Findings for Otitis Media during
exam include:
 9. Encourage patient to stop smoking and avoid
exposure to secondary smoke.
10. For mothers, instruct them to:
>Breastfeed their baby for the first 4 months:
o Breastfeeding protects the infant from
infection.
>Do not allow a toddler to drink from a bottle in
bed:
o Drinking in this position increases the risk
of ear infection.