During an emergency code situation, a primary healthcare provider about to defibrillate a client diagnosed with ventricular fibrillation says in a loud voice, "CLEAR!" Which action should the nurse implement immediately?

Choice A reason: The statement "I can change who serves as my health care proxy at any time" is correct. A client can modify or revoke their health care proxy designation as long as they are mentally competent.

Choice B reason: The statement "The health care proxy does not go into effect until I am incapable of making decisions" is accurate. The health care proxy is activated when the client is unable to make their own medical decisions.

Choice C reason: The statement "I have to choose a family member as my health proxy" indicates a need for clarification. A client is not required to choose a family member as their health care proxy; they can select any trusted individual to act in this capacity.

Choice D reason: The statement "My health care proxy can make decisions on my behalf if I am unable to do so" is correct. The purpose of a health care proxy is to appoint someone to make medical decisions when the client is incapacitated.

Rationale

• B. Sudden pain relief: The intense pain associated with otitis media is caused by the accumulation of fluid and pressure against the tympanic membrane. When the membrane ruptures, that pressure is instantaneously released, resulting in a sudden and dramatic decrease in pain. This is often followed by purulent (pus-filled) or serosanguineous (bloody) drainage in the external ear canal.

Why the others are incorrect

• A. Increased temperature: While a fever is a common sign of an acute infection (Acute Otitis Media), it is not a specific indicator that the eardrum has ruptured. In fact, systemic symptoms like fever may actually decrease once the pressure and infection are vented through a rupture.

• C. Popping sensation when swallowing: This sensation is typically associated with the opening and closing of the Eustachian tube as it attempts to equalize pressure in the middle ear. It is a common symptom of Eustachian tube dysfunction or fluid in the ear, but it indicates an intact eardrum rather than a ruptured one.

• D. Green-blue discharge in the ear canal: While drainage (otorrhea) occurs after a rupture, the color is typically clear, bloody, or yellowish-white (purulent). Green-blue discharge is more characteristic of Pseudomonas infections, often seen in otitis externa (swimmer's ear), rather than a standard tympanic membrane rupture from middle ear effusion.