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Ear, Nose, and Throat Emergencies
Ear, Nose, and Throat Emergencies
Emergencies
External
Auditory
Canal
Tympanic
Membrane
Eustachian Tube
Assessment Questions???
Environmental exposure
Medications
Onset of symptoms
Associated symptoms
Aggravating/alleviating factors
Changes in hearing
Drainage
Hearing aids
Method of cleaning ears
Foreign Body
Be suspicious in the pediatric and mentally
challenged populations
Symptoms
Drainage
Pain
Hearing loss
Swelling
Redness
Odor
FB sensation
Foreign Body Removal
Methods
Suction
Irrigation
Alligator forceps
Blunt angle hook
Do not irrigate if the patient has a ruptured tympanic
membrane or vegetables in their ear.
Use mineral oil, lidocaine or flash light for insects
Medications
Analgesics and antibiotics
Patient education
Do not put anything in the ear, avoid water in the ears
Otitis Externa
Symptoms: often from excessive accumulation or foreign
body obstruction
Painful
Itchy
Diminished hearing
Fullness
Discharge
Fever
Deafness
Interventions
Ear wick
Medication
Cortisporin otic
Hot compresses
Avoid water in ears until infection clears
Otitis Media
Commonly associated with URI’s
Symptoms
Cough
Postnasal drip
Headache
Pain
Fullness
Hearing impairment/loss
Bulging tm
Fever
Pulling at ears (children)
Not feeding (children)
Otitis Media
Interventions
Antibiotics
Decongestants
Pain medications
Patient teaching
Finish all antibiotics
Follow-up for no improvement in 48 hrs
Ruptured Tympanic Membrane
Symptoms Traumatic
Pain
X-Rays
No intervention for small
Discharge
ruptures
Vertigo Large ruptures may need
Hearing loss
repair
Fever/chills
Bacterial
Nausea/vomiting
Antibiotics
Recent injury
Patient teaching
Don’t blow your nose
Keep ears dry
Meniere’s Disease
Usually affects people Treatment
between 40-50 years of Medications
age Valium
Symptoms Antivert
Anti-emetics
Positional vertigo
Dietary changes
N/V
Low sodium diet
Sweats Avoid caffeine
Tinnitus Nicotine
Chocolate
Hearing loss
Quiet environment
Pressure/fullness
Side rails up for safety
Sensitive to noise
Assess steadiness of gait
Headache Talk into good ear
Blurred vision
Nasal Emergencies
Assessment Questions???
Drainage
Onset of symptoms
Injury/trauma
Environmental influences
Medications
Associated symptoms
Allergies
Nosebleeds
Past medical history
Foreign Body
Be suspicious in your pediatric and mentally challenged
population
Symptoms
Sinus pain
Sore throat
Ocular pain
Toothache
Nasal pain
Edema of nares
Discharge
Unable to blow nose
Odor
Foreign Body Removal
Medications
Decongestants And Anesthetics
Methods
Alligator Or Bayonet Forceps
Suction
Analgesics
Sneezing
Antipyretics
Stuffiness
Antibiotics
Mucopurulent
Antihistamines
drainage with
Increase fluid intake
infection
Humidifier
Cough
Sore throat
Malaise
Epistaxis
Anterior Posterior
Direct pressure Assess ABC’S
Wheezing Bronchoscopy
Stridor Esophagoscopy
Dysphagia
Cyanosis
LOC
Reference
Hoyt, K.S., & Selfridge-Thomas, J. (2007)
Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum (6th
ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders.