Otitis media
Otitis media ( 15 Questions)
Which of the following statements regarding the pathophysiology of otitis media, as described in the text, are correct? (Choose three.).
Eustachian tube obstruction does lead to decreased pressure in the middle ear. When the Eustachian tube is blocked or not functioning properly, it can create a vacuum in the middle ear, leading to negative pressure, which can pull fluid into the middle ear space.
Effusion is indeed the fluid that fills the normally air-filled middle ear cavity in otitis media. This fluid can accumulate due to Eustachian tube dysfunction or inflammation, leading to the characteristic symptoms of otitis media.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are indeed common pathogens causing otitis media. These bacteria can infect the middle ear and lead to the inflammation and fluid accumulation characteristic of otitis media.
Otitis media does not result from the inflammation of the outer ear. Otitis media specifically refers to inflammation and infection of the middle ear.
The statement about the eardrum becoming red, swollen, and bulging due to the absence of effusion is incorrect. The presence of effusion behind the eardrum can cause it to appear red, swollen, and bulging, not the absence of effusion.
Choice A rationale:
Eustachian tube obstruction does lead to decreased pressure in the middle ear.
When the Eustachian tube is blocked or not functioning properly, it can create a vacuum in the middle ear, leading to negative pressure, which can pull fluid into the middle ear space.
Choice B rationale:
Effusion is indeed the fluid that fills the normally air-filled middle ear cavity in otitis media.
This fluid can accumulate due to Eustachian tube dysfunction or inflammation, leading to the characteristic symptoms of otitis media.
Choice C rationale:
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are indeed common pathogens causing otitis media.
These bacteria can infect the middle ear and lead to the inflammation and fluid accumulation characteristic of otitis media.
Choice D rationale:
Otitis media does not result from the inflammation of the outer ear.
Otitis media specifically refers to inflammation and infection of the middle ear.
Choice E rationale:
The statement about the eardrum becoming red, swollen, and bulging due to the absence of effusion is incorrect.
The presence of effusion behind the eardrum can cause it to appear red, swollen, and bulging, not the absence of effusion.