Which one of the following is also known as Swimmer's ear?

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

Otitis externa is the medical term for an infection or inflammation of the external ear canal.
It is commonly called 'Swimmer's ear' because it frequently occurs when water gets trapped in the ear canal after swimming, creating a moist environment ideal for bacterial growth.
The most common causative organisms are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
A hallmark symptom is pain when the outer ear (pinna) or the tragus is pulled or moved.

Option A: Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum. It is not directly caused by swimming.
Option B: A stye (hordeolum) is an infection of a gland in the eyelid. It is an ophthalmologic condition, completely unrelated to the ear.
Option D: Amblyopia, or 'lazy eye,' is a neurodevelopmental vision disorder. It affects the eye and vision, not the ear.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the medical term for Swinner's ear as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing assessment to differentiate otitis externa from otitis media is to gently pull on the pinna or press on the tragus. Pain with this maneuver is a classic sign of otitis externa.
Patient education is a crucial nursing role, focusing on preventive measures like using drying ear drops (e.g., a solution of rubbing alcohol and vinegar) after swimming, and avoiding the use of cotton swabs which can cause trauma and push debris further into the canal.
What if? If a patient with otitis externa also has diabetes or is immunocompromised, the nurse must be vigilant for signs of malignant otitis externa, a severe, invasive infection that can spread to the skull base. This requires immediate medical intervention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Swimmer's ear'.
This is a factual recall question that asks for a synonym or associated medical term.
Analyze the options provided. 'Otitis' refers to ear inflammation, so options A and C are the most likely candidates.
'Externa' refers to the external part, and 'media' refers to the middle part. Since swimming involves water in the outer ear canal, 'externa' is the logical choice.
Rule out options related to the eye (Stye, Amblyopia) as they are clearly incorrect.
Select Otitis externa as the correct medical term for Swimmer's ear.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 1 p. 65-67

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1807-1809

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 295-297

Practise the full NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.