Question

The nurse instructs a parent about the appropriate way to instill ear drops in the right ear of a toddler client. The nurse determines teaching is effective if the parent makes which statement?

a. "I should pull my child's ear down and back."
b. "I will have my child stand next to me."
c. "I will place a dry cotton ball in my child's ear."
d. "My child should lie on the right side after I instill the drops."

Answer 1

The correct answer to the question is 'a. I should pull my child's ear down and back.' This properly aligns the child's ear canal to receive the medication effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse determines that the teaching regarding the instillation of ear drops in a toddler's right ear is effective if the parent states: "I should pull my child's ear down and back." This technique helps to straighten the ear canal in young children and allows for proper delivery of the ear drops. For toddlers, the correct method is to pull the pinna (the outer part of the ear) down and back to ensure the drops reach the eardrum effectively.

Having the child lie on the right side after instillation is not recommended, as it could cause the medication to drain out. A dry cotton ball may be gently placed in the outermost part of the ear canal to prevent leaking but should not be placed deeply. The child does not necessarily need to stand during the procedure; they can also be lying down or sitting with their head tilted.