ENT NURSING 303

Section 1: Anatomy and Physiology

1. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected otitis media. Which structure of the ear is
primarily affected?

a) Cochlea

b) Tympanic membrane

c) Eustachian tube

d) External auditory canal

2. Which part of the inner ear is responsible for balance?

a) Cochlea

b) Eustachian tube

c) Semicircular canals

d) Tympanic membrane

3. The nurse is teaching a patient about nasal turbinates. What is their main function?

a) Assist in olfaction

b) Filter and humidify air

c) Drain the sinuses

d) Equalize pressure in the ear

4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?

a) CN V

b) CN VII

c) CN VIII

d) CN IX

5. The tonsils and adenoids are part of which body system?

a) Respiratory
b) Lymphatic

c) Digestive

d) Nervous

Section 2: Ear Disorders and Management

6. A child is diagnosed with acute otitis media. What is the most common causative
organism?

a) Streptococcus pneumoniae

b) Escherichia coli

c) Staphylococcus aureus

d) Clostridium difficile

7. What is a key symptom of Ménière’s disease?

a) Gradual hearing loss

b) Persistent ear drainage

c) Sudden, severe vertigo

d) High-pitched tinnitus

8. A patient with otitis externa (swimmer’s ear) is likely to experience which symptom?

a) Ear fullness and popping

b) Pain when pulling the auricle

c) Ringing in the ears

d) Hearing loss without pain

9. Which of the following is the most appropriate intervention for impacted cerumen?

a) Irrigating with cold water

b) Removing with cotton swabs

c) Using warm water irrigation

d) Administering corticosteroids

10. The nurse understands that the purpose of a myringotomy is to:

b) Treat hearing loss

c) Drain middle ear fluid

d) Repair the tympanic membrane

Section 3: Nose and Sinus Disorders

11. Which is the most common cause of epistaxis (nosebleeds)?

a) Sinus infection

b) Hypertension

c) Trauma or dry air

d) Allergic rhinitis

12. A patient with chronic sinusitis is most likely to report:

a) Sudden onset of fever

b) Facial pressure and nasal congestion

c) Persistent sneezing

d) Severe throat pain

13. The best position for a patient experiencing anterior epistaxis is:

a) Lying flat

b) Sitting upright and leaning forward

c) Tilting the head back

d) Side-lying position

14. A nasal fracture with clear drainage should be evaluated for:

a) Blood clots

b) Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak

c) Mucosal dryness

d) Septal deviation
15. The nurse is providing post-op care for a patient after septoplasty. Which instruction is
correct?

a) “Blow your nose frequently to remove clots.”

b) “Use aspirin if you have pain.”

c) “Avoid bending over or heavy lifting.”

d) “Lie flat for 24 hours.”

Section 4: Throat Disorders and Interventions

16. The nurse is assessing a child with tonsillitis. What is the most common symptom?

a) Ear pain

b) Hoarseness

c) Sore throat and difficulty swallowing

d) Runny nose

17. Which is the priority assessment in a patient post-tonsillectomy?

a) Pain level

b) Bleeding from the throat

c) Nausea and vomiting

d) Low-grade fever

18. A patient with strep throat should be educated about the importance of:

a) Stopping antibiotics when symptoms improve

b) Avoiding milk and dairy

c) Completing the full course of antibiotics

d) Gargling with mouthwash daily

19. Which complication is associated with untreated streptococcal pharyngitis?

a) Sinus infection

b) Rheumatic fever

c) Otitis externa
d) Meniere’s disease

20. A patient with laryngitis should be advised to:

a) Use decongestants

b) Avoid whispering

c) Speak loudly to maintain vocal strength

d) Gargle with vinegar and saltwater

Section 5: ENT Emergencies & Special Conditions

21. The nurse suspects epiglottitis in a child. What is the priority action?

a) Assess throat with a tongue depressor

b) Obtain a throat culture

c) Keep the child calm and prepare for intubation

d) Administer oral antibiotics

22. A patient with peritonsillar abscess will most likely present with:

a) Ear drainage

b) Severe unilateral throat pain and fever

c) Nasal polyps

d) Chronic postnasal drip

23. Which nursing intervention is most important for a patient with acute epiglottitis?

a) Provide ice chips

b) Monitor for airway obstruction

c) Encourage coughing

d) Administer antihistamines

24. A patient with a foreign body in the ear should:

a) Be instructed to flush the ear at home

b) Be referred to an ENT specialist

d) Take antibiotics immediately

25. What is a classic symptom of nasal polyps?

a) Severe headache

b) Difficulty breathing through the nose

c) Frequent sneezing

d) Ear pain

26. Which intervention is contraindicated for a patient with a perforated tympanic

a) Keeping the ear dry

b) Administering oral antibiotics

c) Ear irrigation

d) Pain management

27. A patient with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) should:

a) Undergo immediate hearing tests

b) Use ear drops

c) Be reassured that hearing will return on its own

d) Be prescribed antibiotics

28. What is a priority teaching point for a patient with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
(BPPV)?

a) Avoid caffeine

b) Perform Epley maneuvers

c) Take daily antihistamines

d) Avoid loud noises

29. The nurse is preparing a patient for laryngectomy surgery. What is a key preoperative
teaching point?

a) The patient will need a temporary feeding tube

c) A tracheostomy will be necessary for breathing

d) The patient should avoid talking post-surgery

30. Which symptom indicates an emergency in a patient with a nasal fracture?

a) Bruising under the eyes

b) Difficulty breathing

c) Mild headache

d) Nasal congestion

ANSWERS

Section 1: Anatomy and Physiology

1. (b) Tympanic membrane – Otitis media affects the middle ear, primarily involving the
tympanic membrane and Eustachian tube.

2. (c) Semicircular canals – These structures in the inner ear help maintain balance.

3. (b) Filter and humidify air – The turbinates warm, filter, and humidify inhaled air.

4. (c) CN VIII – The vestibulocochlear nerve controls hearing and balance.

5. (b) Lymphatic – Tonsils and adenoids are lymphoid tissues that help fight infections.

Section 2: Ear Disorders and Management

6. (a) Streptococcus pneumoniae – This is the most common bacterial cause of acute otitis
media.

7. (c) Sudden, severe vertigo – Ménière’s disease is characterized by vertigo, tinnitus, and
fluctuating hearing loss.

8. (b) Pain when pulling the auricle – Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear) causes external ear pain.

9. (c) Using warm water irrigation – Warm water irrigation helps safely remove cerumen;
cold water can cause dizziness.

10. (c) Drain middle ear fluid – A myringotomy creates an incision in the tympanic
membrane to relieve pressure.

Section 3: Nose and Sinus Disorders

11. (c) Trauma or dry air – The most common cause of nosebleeds is nasal dryness or trauma.
12. (b) Facial pressure and nasal congestion – Chronic sinusitis causes facial pain,
congestion, and postnasal drip.

13. (b) Sitting upright and leaning forward – This position prevents aspiration of blood.

14. (b) Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak – Clear drainage from a nasal fracture may indicate a
skull fracture and CSF leak.

15. (c) “Avoid bending over or heavy lifting.” – Bending can increase bleeding risk post-
septoplasty.

Section 4: Throat Disorders and Interventions

16. (c) Sore throat and difficulty swallowing – Tonsillitis presents with throat pain, fever, and
difficulty swallowing.

17. (b) Bleeding from the throat – Post-tonsillectomy, bleeding is a medical emergency.

18. (c) Completing the full course of antibiotics – Untreated strep throat can lead to
complications like rheumatic fever.

19. (b) Rheumatic fever – A serious complication of untreated streptococcal infections.

20. (b) Avoid whispering – Whispering strains the vocal cords more than normal talking.

Section 5: ENT Emergencies & Special Conditions

21. (c) Keep the child calm and prepare for intubation – Epiglottitis is a life-threatening
emergency requiring airway management.

22. (b) Severe unilateral throat pain and fever – A peritonsillar abscess causes throat pain,
swelling, and fever.

23. (b) Monitor for airway obstruction – Acute epiglottitis can lead to sudden airway
obstruction.

24. (b) Be referred to an ENT specialist – Attempting removal at home may push the object
deeper.

25. (b) Difficulty breathing through the nose – Nasal polyps obstruct airflow.

26. (c) Ear irrigation – Irrigation can worsen a perforated tympanic membrane.

27. (a) Undergo immediate hearing tests – Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a
medical emergency.

28. (b) Perform Epley maneuvers – These maneuvers reposition displaced ear crystals to treat
BPPV.
29. (c) A tracheostomy will be necessary for breathing – A total laryngectomy permanently
affects breathing.

30. (b) Difficulty breathing – Nasal fractures that obstruct breathing require emergency
evaluation.