NURSING CARE RELATED TO THE SENSORY AND
NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEMS
1-25
1-25. IMPACTED CERUMEN (EARWAX)
a. Cerumen is a waxlike secretion found within the external auditory canal. Its presence is normal.
b. Cerumen does not need to be removed unless it is impacted or it interferes with hearing.
c. Impacted cerumen is removed by the physician (or a trained technician) using one of the following techniques:
(1) Irrigation.
(2) Instillation of drops designed to break down the cerumen.
(3) Removal with a blunt instrument such as a curet or loop.
