Page 1951 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

in the same manner as the stapes.
c. Complications include complete
hearing loss, prolonged vertigo,
infection, and facial nerve damage.
2. Preoperative interventions
a. Instruct the client in measures to
prevent middle ear or external ear
infections.
b. Instruct the client to avoid excessive
nose blowing.
3. Postoperative interventions

a. Inform the client that hearing is initially
worse after the surgical procedure
because of swelling, and that no
noticeable improvement in hearing
may occur for as long as 6 weeks.
b. Inform the client that the Gelfoam ear
packing (if used) interferes with
hearing but is used to decrease
bleeding.
c. Assist with ambulating during the first
1 to 2 days after surgery.
d. Administer antibiotic, antivertiginous,
and pain medications as prescribed.
e. Assess for facial nerve damage,
weakness, changes in tactile sensation
and taste sensation, vertigo, nausea,
and vomiting.
f. Instruct the client to move the head
slowly when changing positions to
prevent vertigo.
g. Instruct the client to avoid persons with
upper respiratory infections.
h. Instruct the client to avoid showering
and getting the head and wound wet.
i. Instruct the client to avoid rapid
extreme changes in pressure caused by
quick head movements, sneezing, nose
blowing, straining, and changes in
altitude.
j. Instruct the client to avoid changes in
middle ear pressure, because they
could dislodge the graft or prosthesis.
P. Labyrinthitis
1. Description: Infection of the labyrinth that occurs as a
complication of acute or chronic otitis media
2. May result from growth of a cholesteatoma, a benign

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