Peripheral Nerve Block of the External Ear

Overview

4.6 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Pharmacology Credits

0.0

Post Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

26 Feb 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Patients frequently present to the emergency department with various external ear complaints. These complaints may include embedded foreign bodies, traumatic injuries, such as lacerations and avulsions, or auricular collections that require drainage, such as hematomas and abscesses. Oral and parenteral medications rarely provide adequate pain relief during the procedures required to remedy these clinical scenarios. Procedural sedation has a sizeable risk burden, particularly for pediatric patients. Injections directly into the external ear are painful and have a high risk of provider needlestick.

Alternatively, a peripheral nerve block is typically a well-tolerated method to achieve analgesia for a procedure on the external ear. The innervation of the external ear is complex and involves multiple nerves originating from cranial nerves and the cervical plexus. A comprehensive understanding of the innervation of each section of the external ear facilitates selecting the appropriate nerve block method and is critical to the success of this procedure. This activity for healthcare professionals reviews the indications and contraindications of an external ear peripheral nerve block, the procedural steps to perform with and without ultrasonographic guidance, and the common complications following the procedure. The activity also highlights the role of the interprofessional team in improving outcomes for patients undergoing this peripheral nerve block.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify patients who may benefit from a peripheral nerve block of the external ear based on their clinical history.

  • Differentiate the anatomical course of each sensory nerve of the external ear.

  • Apply best practices when performing peripheral nerve blocks of the external ear.

  • Collaborate with interprofessional team members to provide efficient, comprehensive, and coordinated care when managing patients with external ear conditions who may benefit from an ear nerve block for analgesia.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurse Practitioners: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s), which includes 0 hour(s) of pharmacology. NPs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Howard S. on 9/5/2021

DIMITRIOS T. on 11/29/2021

Ariel T. on 4/1/2022

Burke C. on 12/6/2022

kimberly m. on 3/18/2023

Ehsan Q. on 5/22/2023

Melissa L. on 5/29/2023

Scott B. on 6/4/2023

Michael B. on 6/29/2023

Jerome G. on 12/23/2023

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