Which instructions would the nurse give to the parents to prevent otitis externa?

journal article

Journal of Community Health Nursing

Vol. 14, No. 2 (1997)

, pp. 81-110 (30 pages)

Published By: Taylor & Francis, Ltd.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/3427951

This is a preview. Log in to get access

Abstract

Otitis media (OM), a disease of the middle ear, is one of the most common diseases of childhood. Although the medical and surgical treatment of the disease by physicians is covered at length in the literature, information about the role of nurses in dealing with OM is scant. The purpose of this article is to propose a community-based nursing prevention plan for OM based on what is known about its prevalence and pathogenesis.

Journal Information

This innovative publication focuses on health care issues relevant to all aspects of community practice schools, homes, visiting nursing services, clinics, hospices, education, and public health administration. Well-researched articles provide practical and up-to-date information to aid the nurse who must frequently make decisions and solve problems without the back-up support systems available in the hospital. The journal is a forum for community health professionals to share their experience and expertise with others in the field.

Publisher Information

Building on two centuries' experience, Taylor & Francis has grown rapidlyover the last two decades to become a leading international academic publisher.The Group publishes over 800 journals and over 1,800 new books each year, coveringa wide variety of subject areas and incorporating the journal imprints of Routledge,Carfax, Spon Press, Psychology Press, Martin Dunitz, and Taylor & Francis.Taylor & Francis is fully committed to the publication and dissemination of scholarly information of the highest quality, and today this remains the primary goal.

Rights & Usage

This item is part of a JSTOR Collection.
For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions
Journal of Community Health Nursing © 1997 Taylor & Francis, Ltd.
Request Permissions

Overview

A frequent kind of ear infection in children is called otitis media. This is an infection behind the eardrum. It usually starts with a cold. Ear infections can hurt a lot. Children with ear infections often fuss and cry, pull at their ears, and sleep poorly. Older children will often tell you that their ear hurts.

Most children will have at least one ear infection. Fortunately, children usually outgrow them, often about the time they enter grade school.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat ear infections. Antibiotics aren't always needed, especially in older children who aren't very sick. Your doctor will discuss treatment with you based on your child and his or her symptoms. Regular doses of pain medicine are the best way to reduce fever and help your child feel better.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever, pain, or fussiness. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
• If the doctor prescribed antibiotics for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Place a warm cloth on your child's ear for pain.
• Encourage rest. Resting will help the body fight the infection. Arrange for quiet play activities.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• Your child is confused, does not know where he or she is, or is extremely sleepy or hard to wake up.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your child seems to be getting much sicker.
• Your child has a new or higher fever.
• Your child's ear pain is getting worse.
• Your child has redness or swelling around or behind the ear.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

• Your child has new or worse discharge from the ear.
• Your child is not getting better after 2 days (48 hours).
• Your child has any new symptoms, such as hearing problems after the ear infection has cleared.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter J159 in the search box to learn more about "Ear Infections (Otitis Media) in Children: Care Instructions".

Which assessment finding would be typical in a patient with otitis externa?

Which information would the nurse share with parents about the 1 3 6 program?

Which term is appropriate for the nurse to use when describing inflammation of the inner ear to a colleague?

Which Otoscopic finding with the nurse observe in a patient who has an ear infection with effusion?