A nurse examines a patient’s tympanic membranes with an otoscope. The nurse understands the normal tympanic membrane exhibits which normal characteristic?

Choice A reason: The American Cancer Society recommends PSA screening starting at age 50 for average-risk men, but at age 45 for higher-risk groups, including Asian men. This patient patient, as Asian, Asian, needs earlier screening, so age 50 is incorrect for this demographic.

Choice B reason: Starting screening at age 40 is not standard for an average-risk Asian male without symptoms. The ACS suggests age 45 for Asian men, so recommending it with this visit is premature and incorrect.

Choice C reason: The ACS recommends PSA screening for Asian men starting at age 45 due to the higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, even without family history. This aligns with the patient’s profile, making it the correct teaching point.

Choice D reason: PSA screening is recommended for higher-risk groups like Asian men at age 45, regardless of family history. Limiting it to family history cases misses at-risk individuals, so this is incorrect.

Choice A reason: A normal tympanic membrane is not white with prominent capillaries. Such an appearance may indicate inflammation or infection (e.g., otitis media), where increased vascularity or opacity occurs, making this an abnormal and incorrect characteristic.

Choice B reason: A normal tympanic membrane is pearly gray, slightly translucent, with a visible cone of light reflecting off its taut surface. This reflects healthy middle ear anatomy, with no fluid or inflammation, making this the correct description.

Choice C reason: A pulled-in tympanic membrane suggests negative middle ear pressure, often due to eustachian tube dysfunction, not a normal finding. The normal membrane is flat or slightly concave, making this an incorrect characteristic.

Choice D reason: Light pink with a slight bulge suggests inflammation or fluid (e.g., otitis media), not a normal tympanic membrane. Normal membranes are pearly gray and flat, not pink or bulging, making this an incorrect description.