The nurse is caring for a patient with suspected sinusitis. Which assessment finding supports this diagnosis?

A. Clear drainage from the ear: Clear ear drainage is not a typical symptom of sinusitis and may suggest a different issue such as otitis media with tympanic membrane rupture or cerebrospinal fluid leak in rare cases. B. Ear pain when lying down: While referred ear pain can occur in sinusitis due to pressure, pain that worsens when lying down is more commonly associated with otitis media or Eustachian tube dysfunction. It is not specific to sinusitis. C. Generalized pain in the upper teeth: Upper tooth pain is a classic sign of maxillary sinusitis due to the proximity of the sinus cavities to the upper dental roots. Inflammation or pressure in the sinuses can cause discomfort that radiates to the upper jaw. D. Maxillary sinuses nontender on percussion: Lack of tenderness over the maxillary sinuses suggests absence of significant inflammation. In sinusitis, percussion or palpation over the sinuses typically produces tenderness due to mucosal swelling and pressure buildup.