# A nurse is providing discharge teaching to an elderly client who has been fitted with a new hearing aid. Which instruction should the nurse emphasize to ensure proper hearing aid maintenance and optimal function? > source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr) > url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=541670 > language: ko > subject: Adult Health ## 문제 A nurse is providing discharge teaching to an elderly client who has been fitted with a new hearing aid. Which instruction should the nurse emphasize to ensure proper hearing aid maintenance and optimal function? ## 보기 1. Clean the hearing aid daily with alcohol-based solutions to prevent infection 2. Remove the hearing aid only when showering or swimming 3. Turn off the hearing aid and remove the battery when not in use for extended periods **✔ 정답** 4. Adjust the volume to maximum setting to ensure adequate sound amplification **정답: 3** ## 해설 Turning off the hearing aid and removing the battery during extended non-use prevents battery corrosion and extends battery life. Other options risk device damage, infection, or hearing loss. ## 심화 해설 Correct Answer: 3. The nurse should emphasize that the client must turn off the hearing aid and remove the battery when the device is not in use for extended periods. Analysis of the Correct Instruction Proper battery management is a cornerstone of hearing aid maintenance and directly impacts the user's ability to consistently use the device. Removing the battery when the hearing aid will not be used for a long time, such as overnight, serves several critical functions. It prevents battery drain, which conserves power and ensures the device is functional when needed. More importantly, it allows the battery compartment to air out, preventing moisture buildup and corrosion on the internal contacts. Corrosion from a leaking battery is a common cause of device malfunction and costly repairs. This simple habit is a practical, non-invasive intervention that directly supports consistent, long-term use by ensuring the device is always in a state of readiness. Research underscores that while hearing aids can improve communication and quality of life, many individuals do not use them consistently . A key factor in promoting adherence is building the user's capability and motivation through straightforward, actionable maintenance skills . Teaching a client to manage the battery is a foundational step in empowering them to integrate the hearing aid successfully into their daily routine. Analysis of Incorrect Options Option 1: Instructing the client to clean the hearing aid daily with alcohol-based solutions is incorrect and potentially harmful. Alcohol is a strong solvent that can degrade the plastic casing, damage the microphone and receiver ports, and dry out the earmold material, leading to cracking and discomfort. The correct cleaning method involves using a soft, dry cloth or specialized, non-alcohol-based wipes. This instruction relates to the user's capability to perform a physical task correctly, a core component of behavioral models for promoting hearing aid use . Providing incorrect information can lead to device damage, which becomes a significant barrier to consistent use. Option 2: Advising the client to remove the hearing aid only when showering or swimming is a dangerous oversimplification. Hearing aids should be removed during any activity involving significant moisture exposure, such as using a hair dryer, applying hair spray, or being in heavy rain. Furthermore, they must be removed at night to allow the ear canal to ventilate and to prevent the device from being dislodged and lost or damaged during sleep. The adoption and consistent, correct use of hearing aids remain low, partly due to such misunderstandings about daily care . A lack of clear, comprehensive instruction on when to remove the device can lead to moisture damage, a primary cause of device failure and a subsequent reason for abandonment. Option 4: Instructing the client to adjust the volume to the maximum setting is contraindicated. The volume should be set to a comfortable, pre-programmed level based on the individual's audiometric profile. Setting it to maximum can cause sound distortion, feedback (whistling), and could potentially exacerbate noise-induced hearing damage. More critically, it fails to improve speech clarity and may make the listening experience intolerable, leading to the user rejecting the device. A patient's perceived benefit and comfort are central to their motivation to use the hearing aid consistently . An uncomfortably loud setting directly undermines this motivation, transforming a helpful tool into a source of distress and contributing to the pattern of inconsistent use observed in many older adults . ## 임상 시나리오 Hearing Aid Battery & Storage CarePreventing corrosion and ensuring device longevity Instruct the client to turn off the hearing aid and remove the battery when not in use for extended periods, such as overnight. This practice prevents battery drain and allows the compartment to air out, minimizing moisture buildup that leads to corrosion on the internal contacts. CautionNever store batteries in the refrigerator or in contact with metal objects like keys or coins, as this can cause short-circuiting or leakage. A leaking battery is a common cause of device malfunction. ## 핵심 개념 - **Battery Corrosion** — A chemical reaction where battery acid leaks and damages the metal contacts and internal circuitry of electronic devices. - **Residual Current Drain** — A small amount of electrical current that continues to flow from a battery even when the device is switched off, leading to gradual power loss. - **COM-B Model** — A behavioral science framework stating that Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation interact to generate a specific Behavior. ## 같은 주제 문제 - [A nurse is providing education to a 72-year-old client who has just received a new hearing…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=541669) - [A nurse is providing education to a 72-year-old client who has just received a new hearing…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=541671) --- More free questions: [기출문제](https://mymerci.kr/) _학습 참고용입니다. 실제 임상은 최신 지침과 소속 기관 프로토콜을 따르세요._