Review Question - QID 208722

A 74-year-old female with a history of lung adenocarcinoma status post lobectomy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and diabetic nephropathy presents to clinic complaining of hearing loss. Over the last week, she has noticed that she has had difficulty hearing the telephone or the television. When sitting in a quiet room, she also has noticed a high-pitched ringing in her ears. She denies any vertigo or disequilibrium. Further review reveals ongoing dyspnea on exertion and worsening cough productive of whitish sputum for the last month. The patient was recently discharged from the hospital for a congestive heart failure exacerbation. She lives alone and keeps track of all her medications, but admits that sometimes she gets confused. She has a 20 pack-year tobacco history. Her home medications include aspirin, lisinopril, furosemide, short-acting insulin, and a long-acting ß-agonist inhaler. She does not use supplemental oxygen. Two weeks ago she completed a course of salvage chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplastin. In the office, her temperature is 37.4°C (99.3°F), blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg, pulse is 84/min, respirations are 18/min, and oxygen saturation is 94% on room air. Her tympanic membranes are clear and intact with no signs of trauma or impaction. Auditory testing reveals bilateral hearing impairment to a whispered voice. The Weber test is non-lateralizing. Rinne test is unrevealing.
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