A 3-year-old girl has a red bulging left tympanic membrane. She is afebrile, has had no ear discharge, and is…

Question

A 3-year-old girl has a red bulging left tympanic membrane. She is afebrile, has had no ear discharge, and is playing in the waiting room. She is not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, is fully immunised and has no other medical problems. You have already told her mother that acute otitis media usually settles by itself and that serious complications are rare. Her mother replies that the last doctor always gave the pink medicine. Which one of the following should you do next?

Accepted Answer

Ask what she hopes an antibiotic will achieve

Answer

Arrange review if she is not improving in 48 hours

Answer

Discuss the risks of diarrhoea and rash from antibiotics

Answer

Explain that symptoms usually last two to three days

Answer

Provide a delayed prescription for her to fill later

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