Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is c) Tympanostomy tube placement, as it provides a way to drain pus from the middle ear in cases of persistent purulent otorrhea.
Step-by-step explanation:
Persistent purulent otorrhea for more than 2 weeks despite treatment is an indicator of a severe or chronic problem that may require a more interventions approach. The best option among the choices provided would be c) Tympanostomy tube placement. This procedure involves placing a small tube into the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to allow the drainage of pus and relieve pressure from the middle ear, thus reducing the chance of further infections and complications. Ear irrigation might be used to clean the external ear canal, but it will not address the middle ear issue. A hearing aid is used to assist those with hearing loss, not for acute infections or effusions, and nasal spray may help to some extent with eustachian tube dysfunction but is unlikely to be the solution for persistent purulent otorrhea.
Acute otitis media (AOM) involves the buildup of pus in the middle ear cavity, which can lead to bulging of the tympanic membrane and significant discomfort. When this condition becomes chronic, it may cause the tympanic membrane to perforate, and the standard treatment options may no longer suffice, thus making tympanostomy tube placement the more appropriate action to address the underlying problem.