FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

A 15-month-old with a fever and a bulging tympanic membrane is likely suffering from which condition?

1. Otitis externa

2. Cholesteatoma

3. Ruptured tympanic membrane

4. Otitis media

The correct answer is: Otitis media

A 15-month-old child presenting with a fever and a bulging tympanic membrane is likely suffering from otitis media, which is an infection of the middle ear. The symptoms are classic indicators of this condition. In young children, the Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal, making them more prone to infections that can cause fluid buildup and pressure in the middle ear. The bulging tympanic membrane signifies increased pressure due to fluid accumulation, often accompanied by signs of infection such as fever. In contrast, otitis externa typically involves inflammation of the external ear canal and would not usually present with a bulging tympanic membrane. A cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that often follows repeated ear infections but is less common in children and would typically not present with an acute fever and bulging tympanic membrane. A ruptured tympanic membrane might occur as a result of otitis media, but it wouldn't explain the initial bulging symptom — instead, it is more often associated with pain relief and drainage. Therefore, the clear presentation of fever, bulging tympanic membrane, and the age of the child strongly points to otitis media as the correct diagnosis.