Question

A nurse is teaching the parents of a 3-year-old who has persistent otitis media about prevention. Which of the following statements by the parents indicates and understanding of the teaching? A. "We will give our child a bottle of milk before bedtime to soothe them."

B. "We will encourage our child to frequently clean their ears with cotton swabs."
C. "We will ensure our child finishes the entire course of prescribed antibiotics."
D. "We will limit our child's outdoor playtime to prevent ear infections."

Answer 1

The correct answer to the given multiple-choice question about otitis media prevention is C: "We will ensure our child finishes the entire course of prescribed antibiotics," as this reflects an understanding of how to properly treat and prevent ear infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of the question revolves around the prevention of persistent otitis media in a 3-year-old child, focusing particularly on parental understanding of prevention measures following a nurse's teaching. The correct answer to the question is: "We will ensure our child finishes the entire course of prescribed antibiotics." This statement by the parents indicates a correct understanding of the teaching aimed at preventing further episodes of otitis media. It is important for children to complete the full course of antibiotics to effectively clear the infection and reduce the risk of resistance. Other provided options such as giving a child a bottle of milk at bedtime, cleaning ears with cotton swabs, or limiting outdoor playtime are either detrimental (as bottle feeding can lead to increased eustachian tube dysfunction) or unrelated to otitis media prevention.

Preventing ear infections involves managing risk factors, such as avoiding bottle feeding in a lying position to prevent fluid accumulation in the middle ear, promoting hygiene, and understanding the importance of completing antibiotic courses as prescribed to prevent antibiotic resistance and ensure the full treatment of infection.