Question

During the otoscopic examination of a patient, the nurse sees that the superior part of the patient's eardrum is bright red and bulging. What does the nurse infer from this finding?

The patient has skull fracture.

The patient has acute otitis media.

The patient has chronic otitis media.

The patient has a fungal ear infection.

Answer 1

The nurse can infer from the bright red and bulging appearance of the superior part of the patient's eardrum during an otoscopic examination that the patient has acute otitis media.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse can infer from the bright red and bulging appearance of the superior part of the patient's eardrum during an otoscopic examination that the patient has acute otitis media.

Acute otitis media (AOM) is characterized by the formation and accumulation of pus in the middle ear, resulting in moderate to severe bulging of the tympanic membrane. The infection and inflammation in the middle ear can cause the eardrum to appear red and swollen.