Question

A patient who swims several times a week asks why the ears are becoming frequently infected. What is the nurse's best response?

A. "The pool water is entering your Eustachian tubes."
B. "The pool water has microorganisms that are entering your ears."
C. "The pool water is drying out your ears, causing skin breakdown."
D. "The pool water has chlorine that is killing all of the good bacteria."

Answer 1

The nurse's best response would be B. "The pool water has microorganisms that are entering your ears." Swimming in pool water can introduce microorganisms into the ears, leading to frequent ear infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best response would be B. "The pool water has microorganisms that are entering your ears."

Swimming in pool water can introduce microorganisms into the ears, leading to frequent ear infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium commonly found in water and can cause otitis externa or swimmer's ear. It can cause itching, redness, discomfort, and even progress to fever, pain, and swelling.

Inadequate chlorination of pool water can allow for the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, increasing the risk of infections. Therefore, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and ensure that pool water is adequately chlorinated to prevent ear infections.