The nurse is caring for a 15-month-old with acute otitis media that is scheduled for a myringotomy. What is the purpose of this procedure?

Explanation

• When a middle-ear infection does not respond to conservative management, a myringotomy may be performed to promote drainage from the ear.

• A myringotomy is a surgical procedure of the eardrum or tympanic membrane. A small incision is made through the layers of the tympanic membrane to relieve pressure from fluid build-up or to drain pus from the middle ear (-otomy means "to cut into").

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