Question

Six-month-old I.R. awoke at 3 am crying and pullin on her left ear. There was dried, green, purulent drainage on her earlobe and on the sheet of her crib. Her temperature was 38.3 degrees celsius. The pediatrician prescribed an antibiotic and an analgesic. What is the most likely cause of her symptoms?
1. inner ear fluid
2. endolymph mixed with earwax
3. cerumen
4. pus that formed within the middle ear as part of the infectious process

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is 4.

Explanation:

This patient shows symptoms of otitis media. Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, caused most commonly by a disfunction of the Eustachian tube. Virus and bacteria can inflame the mucous of the nasopharynx and by reflux or aspiration, secretions can enter the middle ear, causing the symptoms, which in young children are ear pain, pulling at the ear, fever, increased crying, lack of hunger, poor sleep.