What condition may the client be experiencing if they report ear pain that suddenly resolved and have new ear drainage?

When a client reports sudden ear pain that has resolved and then presents with new ear drainage, this is indicative of a potential perforated tympanic membrane. A perforation in the tympanic membrane can occur after an acute ear infection, leading to pain that may lessen once the membrane ruptures. The drainage is often due to the release of fluid that was trapped behind the eardrum, which can now exit the ear canal due to the tear.

In this scenario, the acute onset of pain followed by its resolution suggests that the underlying pressure and pain caused by an infection or blockage have been alleviated, allowing drainage of fluids or pus that had accumulated. This is a common manifestation after a rupture in the eardrum.

Other conditions, such as mastoiditis, typically involve more persistent pain and are associated with complications beyond just ear drainage. Ménière's disease involves episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus rather than acute pain and drainage. Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that usually leads to gradual hearing loss and other neurological symptoms, rather than sudden ear pain followed by drainage. Therefore, the combination of symptoms aligns closely with a perforated tympanic membrane, making it the most fitting condition in this situation.