Treatment of Acute Otitis Media - Introduction and Objectives

Acute Otitis Media is perhaps the most common pediatric ambulatory care diagnosis in America. Approximately one-third of pediatric outpatient visits can be accounted for by otitis media. Otitis media is commonly divided into three specific conditions: acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), and recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM). General treatment guidelines concerning these three conditions will be discussed and specific guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics will be reviewed.

The focus of this program will be to review the treatment principles in AOM and critique new antimicrobials available for treatment of this condition. The objectives of this course include the following:

  1. The student will be aware of common assessment features of AOM, the differential diagnosis, and risk factors associated with this diagnosis.
  2. The student will understand the difference between, and referral points for, acute otitis media (AOM), recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM), and otitis media with effusion (OME).
  3. The student will be familiar with both the traditional and recently released antibiotics used in the treatment of AOM.
  4. The student will be cognizant of the cephalosporin generations, their characteristics and individual oral cephalosporin prescriptive differences.
  5. The student will be familiar with the common features of antibiotic resistance, mechanisms involved, and strategies for the prevention of bacterial resistance.

The concepts put forth in this program are generally accepted principles found in the pediatric literature. This program is not designed to be used as a protocol for treatment and is not meant to be a "standard of care." Comments, as related to individual antibiotics, reflect the authorís personal experience only. To continue, select a topic of study:

  1. Otitis Media Definitions
  2. Otitis Media Facts and Figures
  3. Otitis Media Risk Factors
  4. Assessment - History
  5. Assessment - Physical Examination
  6. Differential Diagnosis of Otalgia
  7. Medical and Nursing Diagnoses; Nursing Care Plan
  8. Antimicrobial Treatment

Send comments to Terry Leiker
Department of Nursing
College of Health and Life Sciences
Fort Hays State University
Revised October 2000