Question

A client with rheumatoid arthritis takes aspirin routinely to reduce pain. The client asks whether it is the arthritis, the aspirin, or some other ear problem that causes the bilateral ear buzzing the client is now experiencing. What is an appropriate nursing response?

Answer 1

Answer:

The bilateral ear buzzing experienced is caused by the regular intake of aspirin.

Explanation:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect majorly joints, which causes a lot of pain. The pain can be controlled by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Aspirin is one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve mild-moderate pain, reduce the risk of heart attacks and certain strokes. As much as it reduces pains, it has some side effects such as; ringing in your ears, confusion, hallucinations, severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain etc.

The routine intake of the medication is an abuse, so the client must stop using it. He/ She should see a doctor immediately for a better prescription of drugs.

Answer 2

Answer:

The appropriate nursing response is aspirin may have damaged the client's acoustic nerve also known as eighth cranial nerve.

Explanation:

Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a drug used reducing pain, fever, or inflammation, can damage the acoustic nerve, triggering ear buzzing and impaired hearing.

Continuous intake of aspirin affects the acoustic nerve. More so, impaired hearing, not ringing, occurs due to mechanical obstruction of the outer ear. Although, aging reduces clearness in the extremes of pitch, but it does not cause ringing in the ears.