RN Exam Practice
Physiological AdaptationQuestion 2187 of 2368

Which client report is consistent with otitis externa?

  1. Ear fullness with a bulging tympanic membrane after a cold
  2. A spinning sensation when the head is turned
  3. A ringing sound that comes and goes
  4. Ear canal pain that gets worse when the outer ear is pulled up and out
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Correct answer: Ear canal pain that gets worse when the outer ear is pulled up and out

Otitis externa causes itching and pain worsened by pulling upward and outward on the auricle. The other findings point to other ear problems.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Eye and Ear Assessment: Anatomy of the Ear. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026