A nurse is preparing to examine a client's tympanic membrane. Which instrument should the nurse use to perform this assessment?

Choice A reason: A stethoscope is an acoustic medical device used primarily for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of an animal or human body. It is specifically designed for heart, lung, and bowel sounds and lacks the magnification or light source necessary to visualize the ear canal. Choice B reason: An otoscope is a specialized medical instrument used to look into the ears. It consists of a handle and a head that contains a light source and a low-power magnifying lens, which allows the nurse to inspect the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane. Choice C reason: A sphygmomanometer is a diagnostic tool used to measure blood pressure. It consists of an inflatable cuff, a measuring unit (the mercury manometer or aneroid gauge), and a mechanism for inflation. It has no application in the visual assessment of the internal ear structures. Choice D reason: A reflex hammer, or percussion hammer, is a medical instrument used by practitioners to test deep tendon reflexes. This is an essential part of the neurological physical examination to assess the integrity of the sensory and motor pathways and is not used for ear exams.