Final answer:
The patient should not clean the ear canal daily with a cotton-tipped applicator.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement that indicates a need for further teaching is option c. The patient should not clean the ear canal daily with a cotton-tipped applicator. This can cause further irritation and injury to the ear canal, making the condition worse.
Eardrops should be applied to the external wick, not directly into the ear canal, as stated in option a. The patient can use aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief, as mentioned in option b. And warm compresses to the outside of the ear can provide comfort, as stated in option d.