Nursing Ear Assessment: Practical Application and Care Plan

This nursing practical assignment focuses on the comprehensive assessment of the ear, including the external ear structures and otoscopic examination of the auditory canal and tympanic membrane. The assessment identifies potential issues such as atopic eczema and details the nursing process involved in creating a care plan. The plan includes assessment findings like pruritus and flexural lesions, a nursing diagnosis, SMART goals for patient care, and implementation strategies focusing on patient education and preventative measures. The evaluation phase checks the patient's understanding and adherence to the treatment plan, with regular follow-ups to monitor progress and ensure the effective management of the identified ear condition. Desklib offers a wealth of solved assignments and study materials for nursing students.

Running head: EAR ASSESSMENT:NURSING
Ear Assessment: Nursing
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author Note:

1EAR ASSESSMENT:NURSING
Fill in the blank
Current Symptoms: Ears
External Ear Structures
1. Inspect the auricle, tragus, and
lobule for size and shape,
bilaterally. Describe bilateral
position, lesions/discoloration, and
discharge.
Bilaterally, the lobules and auricles are of equal size and
have similar appearance. The skin is smooth and color
consistent with facial color and for ethnicity. No
nodules or lesions or redness is present in auricles or
lobules. The presence of tragus is well formed. No trace
of discharge is seen on bilateral inspection.
2. Palpate the auricle and mastoid
process bilaterally. Describe
findings, including
symptomatology or tenderness if
they are present.
The auricles appear non-tender upon palpation.
Palpation of mastoid process does not show any lesions
or nodules. The mastoid process shows no redness or
swelling upon palpation. Both are non-edematous. The
color is consistent with the facial skin color.
Otoscopic Examination
3. Bilaterally inspect the external
auditory canal with the otoscope
for discharge, color and
consistency of cerumen, color and
consistency of canal walls, and any
nodules. (Address each of these
items bilaterally.)
The presence of yellow and moist cerumen is noted in the
bilateral right canal which Is non-odorous. The auditory
canals appear slightly pink in color with smoothness; no
lesions or nodules are found In the bilateral auditory canals.
There is no swelling noted; the patient denies tenderness and
pain (Biagio et al., 2013).
4. Inspect and describe the tympanic
membranes bilaterally, using the
otoscope, for color and shape, and
landmarks.
The tympanic membrane is visible and has the appearance of
a translucent and shiny texture. It looks pearly gray in color.
The patient while swallowing food shows proper visible
movement. The membrane shows no bulging of tympanic
membrane (Biagio et al., 2013). There has been noted no
foreign particles or skin lesions within the membrane. The
structures of malleus, handle and short process are visible
bilaterally without problem.
5. List a common ear disorder or
abnormal assessment finding that
would be discoverable in an ear or
hearing assessment.
Atopic eczema in external ear. The presence of dry
scaly skin flakes inside external ear, thickened lesions
are present.
Adapted from Weber, Kelly & Sprengel, 2014: Lippincott, with permission.
Using the nursing process, formulate a nursing care plan for the problem you listed in #5, above.
Assessment Expected assessment findings for the
condition:

2EAR ASSESSMENT:NURSING
Nursing
Diagnosis
appropriate for
such a problem
(Approved
NANDA
diagnoses—
may include
“risk for,
“wellness” or
“readiness for
enhanced
knowledge”
diagnoses)
A link to the lists is available in several areas,
Apppendix C of your textbook or at
http://www.academia.edu/37099615/NANDA-
I_2018-2020.pdf
Pruritis or frequent itching of ear
skin, flexural lesions in external
ear (Watkins, 2013).
Plan List 2 SMART goals for the patient. (SMART
goals discussed in the article listed in the
directions for this assignment)
Goal 1
I would suggest the patient to go
and consult with a dermatologist
and check for the condition of
eczema or severity of the
dermatitis problem. I would
ensure that the patient pays a
regular visit to the dermatologist
during treatment process (Law,
2013).
Goal 2
I would suggest that the patient
uses basic skin care regime to
prevent atopic eczema. I would
notify the patient that the frequent
itching or scratching at the site of
infection should be avoided. I
would inform the patient to use
moisturizers regularly at the site
of eczema after cleaning. I would
suggest the patient to regularly
monitor the site and check for
severity; the patient should keep
in touch with a consulting
dermatologist until the eczema is
fully cured (Law, 2013).
Implementation A concise plan that addresses:
1) What the nurse would teach the patient
about care and prevention . (What would
need to be done now that the assessment
finding has been discovered; collaboration
with other members of the health care
team may be needed, so implementation
may mean a clinician encounter.
The patient education forms an
important part of eczema
prevention measure.
1. The patient would be
educated that daily skin
care and preventing
aggravating factors are
integral to eczema

3EAR ASSESSMENT:NURSING
prevention.
2. The patient should use
emollients and
moisturizers at the site of
dermatitis to lessen the
spread of skin infections
(Millward, 2017).
3. The patient should keep
the area always
rehydrated and prevent
dryness.
4. Any irritant to skin should
be avoided and if any
moisturizer causes skin
irritation, the patient
should consult
dermatologist
immediately.
Evaluation How would progress toward the two SMART
goals be evaluated?
1. I would check if the
patient has understood
as the dermatologist has
prescribed treatment
measures. I would ask
the patient to elaborate
what he has learnt.
2. I would keep a follow up
with the patient on a
frequent basis; the
patient should be able to
tell me about the
monitoring methods and
the reduction of
dermatitis through
moisturizers.

4EAR ASSESSMENT:NURSING
References
Biagio, L., Swanepoel, D. W., Adeyemo, A., Hall III, J. W., & Vinck, B. (2013). Asynchronous
video-otoscopy with a telehealth facilitator. Telemedicine and e-Health, 19(4), 252-258.
Law, D. (2013). Goals and goal based outcomes (GBOs). London: CAMHS Press.
Millward, K. (2017). Ear care: an update for nurses (part 2). Practice Nursing, 28(8), 332-337.
Watkins, J. (2013). Presentations of eczema. Independent Nurse.