Question

Acute otitis media is an inflammatory disorder caused by an infection of the middle ear. The child often has fever, pain, loss of appetite, and possible ear drainage. The child also is irritable and lethargic and may roll the head or pull on or rub the affected ear. Otoscopic examination may reveal a red, opaque, bulging, and immobile tympanic membrane. Hearing loss may be noted particularly in chronic otitis media. The child's fever should be treated with ibuprofen (Motrin IB). The child is positioned on his or her affected side to facilitate drainage. A soft diet is recommended during the acute stage to avoid pain that can occur with chewing. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat the bacterial infection and should be administered for the full prescribed course. The ear should not be irrigated with normal saline because it can exacerbate the inflammation further. Antihistamines are not usually recommended as a part of therapy.

A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Acute otitis media is a common ear infection in children, frequently caused by bacteria such as S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis. A combination of anatomical and behavioral factors contributes to the condition. Appropriate treatment involves antibiotics, pain management, and avoiding certain actions that could worsen inflammation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Acute otitis media (AOM) is an infection of the middle ear that is particularly common in young children. The usual causative agents include bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. A child with AOM could exhibit symptoms such as ear pain, fever, loss of appetite, and possible ear drainage. Factors such as the anatomical structure of eustachian tubes in children and certain behaviors like bottle feeding while lying down facilitate acute otitis media with effusion (OME), where fluid accumulates in the middle ear providing a breeding ground for these bacteria.

For treatment, a soft diet can help minimize pain that arises from chewing, and the child should finish the full prescribed course of antibiotics to effectively treat the bacterial infection. The presence of inflammation prohibits the use of antihistamines in therapy and the ear should not be irrigated to prevent exacerbation of the condition.