Patients who are considering having a cochlear implant should be told which of the following?

a) Has no serious complications: Bacterial pharyngitis, especially streptococcal pharyngitis, can have serious complications, such as rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis, which are not seen with viral pharyngitis.
b) Presents a negative culture: Bacterial pharyngitis typically presents with a positive throat culture for bacteria, while viral pharyngitis typically shows a negative culture.
c) Has an abrupt onset: Bacterial pharyngitis often has a sudden and severe onset of symptoms, while viral pharyngitis tends to have a more gradual onset.
d) Presents a normal complete blood count (CBC): In bacterial pharyngitis, the CBC may show an elevated white blood cell count, while in viral pharyngitis, the CBC may remain normal or slightly elevated.

a) "Use a sterile glove and applicator to apply the antibiotic ointment." Using sterile equipment is not necessary for the application of ophthalmic ointment. The key is proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection.
b) "Keep your eye open for 30 sec after instilling the ointment." It is unnecessary to keep the eye open for 30 seconds after applying the ointment. It should be gently closed to help distribute the medication.
c) "Always wipe from the outer to the inner canthus when wiping away secretions." This is incorrect because wiping from the inner to the outer canthus is recommended to prevent contamination of the clean parts of the eye.
d) "Apply the ointment in a thin line into the conjunctival sac." This is the correct method for applying the ointment, ensuring that the medication reaches the affected area.