2024 PN NCLEX Questions Nursing Practice Question
When inspecting the ears for cerumen impaction, the nurse checks for which finding?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When inspecting for cerumen impaction, identifying a yellowish or brownish waxy material in the external auditory canal is essential, as this indicates the presence of earwax buildup.
Option A, redness and swelling of the tympanic membrane, suggests an infection rather than impaction. Option B, an external auditory canal that is longer than normal, is not a typical finding associated with cerumen impaction; canal length does not affect wax buildup. Option C, the presence of edema in the external auditory canal, may indicate inflammation or infection but does not specifically indicate cerumen impaction.