While Performing the Otoscopic Examination of a 3-Year-Old Boy Who

question 2

Multiple Choice

While performing the otoscopic examination of a 3-year-old boy who has been pulling on his left ear, the nurse finds that his left tympanic membrane is bright red and that the light reflex is not visible. What do these findings indicate?

• A) Cholesteatoma
• B) A fungal infection
• C) An acute otitis media
• D) A perforation of the eardrum

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Definitions:

REM Sleep

A phase of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, where dreaming often occurs and brain activity is high, resembling wakefulness.

Slow Wave Sleep

A phase of sleep characterized by low frequency, high amplitude brain waves, indicative of deep, restorative sleep.

Sleep Spindles

Brief bursts of brain activity, characterized by rapid rhythms, that occur during stage 2 of non-REM sleep and are associated with learning and memory consolidation.

EEG

Electroencephalogram, a test that measures the electrical activity of the brain and is used in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions.