Maternal and Child Care: A school-age boy develops otitis media with effusion. He and his mother are told that he will need myringotomy tubes inserted into his ears. She asks, “Why does this have to be done at the hospital?” What would be your best response?

Question

A school-age boy develops otitis media with effusion. He and his mother are told that he will  need myringotomy tubes inserted into his ears. She asks, “Why does this have to be done at the hospital?” What would be your best response?

James Marion Endrina Entice · Accepted Answer

“He will need to lie still afterward, so he will need to remain at the hospital for a short time.”

It is important that children lie still while the tubes are inserted so a portion of the tympanic membrane, important for hearing, is not punctured.

Maternal and Child Care

A school-age boy develops otitis media with effusion. He and his mother are told that he will need myringotomy tubes inserted into his ears. She asks, “Why does this have to be done at the hospital?” What would be your best response?

“He will need to lie still afterward, so he will need to remain at the hospital for a short time.” It is important that children lie still while the tubes are inserted so a portion of the tympanic membrane, important for hearing, is not punctured.

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