Australian First Aid Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

When a casualty has a ruptured eardrum, one appropriate response is to place sterile cotton on the outer ear canal. This action serves to help absorb any potential drainage from the ear and protect the area from further irritation or infection. It does not block the ear canal, allowing any fluid to escape while still providing a barrier against external contaminants.

Maintaining a sterile environment is important when dealing with a ruptured eardrum to prevent more serious complications like infections. Using sterile cotton can help to create a clean environment while the injury heals.

In contrast, encouraging the casualty to clean the ear or speak could exacerbate the situation. Cleaning could introduce bacteria or further damage the already sensitive ear structure. Speaking is not a helpful measure for assessing hearing capability as it does not address the underlying issue of the ruptured eardrum and could cause additional stress to the casualty. Applying ice wrapped in cloth is typically used for swelling or pain reduction in other injuries but is not a relevant treatment for a ruptured eardrum, as it does not address the specific concerns associated with this kind of injury.