A nurse is educating a patient on proper hearing aid care and maintenance. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A Reason:

Tilting the head to the side and pulling the earlobe up and back is the recommended method for adults to straighten the ear canal, allowing the drops to flow directly into the ear canal and reach the site of infection effectively. This method ensures that the medication is properly administered and can work effectively to treat the infection.

Choice B Reason:

Laying flat on your back and placing the drops on a cotton ball before inserting it into the ear canal is not a recommended method for administering ear drops. This method can prevent the medication from reaching the ear canal properly and may not be as effective in treating the infection. Additionally, using a cotton ball can absorb the medication, reducing its effectiveness.

Choice C Reason:

Tilting the head to the side and pulling the earlobe down and back is the correct method for administering ear drops to children under three years old. For adults, this method is not recommended as it does not straighten the ear canal properly, which can prevent the medication from reaching the site of infection effectively.

Choice D Reason:

Tilting the head forward and pulling the earlobe up and forward is not a recommended method for administering ear drops. This method does not properly straighten the ear canal and can prevent the medication from reaching the site of infection. It is important to follow the correct technique to ensure the medication is effective.

Choice A Reason:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. While it can cause symptoms such as fatigue and fever, it is less likely to cause severe pain in the lower back and joints, which are more characteristic of a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia. ALL typically presents with symptoms like frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, and bone pain, but the combination of severe pain, fatigue, and fever in a patient with sickle cell anemia points more towards a vaso-occlusive crisis.

Choice B Reason:

Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition where there is a lack of adequate iron to form healthy red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and pale skin, but it does not typically cause severe pain in the lower back and joints or fever. The presence of severe pain and fever in a patient with sickle cell anemia is more indicative of a vaso-occlusive crisis rather than iron-deficiency anemia.

Choice C Reason:

Vaso-occlusive crisis is a common and painful complication of sickle cell anemia. It occurs when sickled red blood cells block blood flow to parts of the body, causing severe pain, often in the back, joints, and abdomen. This condition can also lead to fever and fatigue due to the body’s inflammatory response and the reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. Given the patient’s history of sickle cell anemia and the described symptoms, a vaso-occlusive crisis is the most likely cause.

Choice D Reason:

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. While pneumonia can occur in patients with sickle cell anemia, it is less likely to cause severe pain in the lower back and joints. The combination of severe pain, fatigue, and fever in this patient is more consistent with a vaso-occlusive crisis.