When assessing the tympanic membrane of an elderly client, the nurse notes the presence of two jagged white lines. What do these findings indicate to the nurse?
1) The presence of these markings is consistent with the presence of an infection.
2) The white lines are consistent with a past history of a tympanic rupture.
3) This is a sign of chronic infection of the tympanic membrane.
4) The tympanic membrane appears to be ruptured.
