Final answer:
The nurse requires a tuning fork to perform the Weber test, which is a diagnostic tool to evaluate the presence and type of hearing loss by analyzing how sound conducted through bone is heard.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is preparing to perform a Weber test, which is a quick screening test for hearing. This test can determine if there is hearing loss present and also differentiate between conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. For this test, the nurse will need a tuning fork. Once the tuning fork is vibrating, it is placed on the midline of the patient's skull such as the forehead or top of the head. The sound should be heard equally in both ears if hearing is normal. In cases of conductive hearing loss, the sound is heard louder in the affected ear, while in sensorineural hearing loss, it is heard louder in the unaffected ear.