Final answer:
When performing ear irrigation for a patient with cerumen impaction, the nurse should assist the patient to a sitting or slightly inclined position, fill the irrigation syringe with body-temperature solution, use a sterile applicator to clean the ear canal before irrigating, and avoid completely occluding the ear canal with the syringe.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing ear irrigation for a patient with cerumen impaction, the nurse will take several actions:
- Assisting the patient to a sitting or slightly inclined position is recommended to prevent aspiration or other complications.
- The irrigation syringe should be filled with body-temperature water or a saline solution to ensure patient comfort and safety.
- The ear canal should be cleaned with a sterile applicator before irrigating, to remove any excess cerumen and ensure effective irrigation.
- During irrigation, the nurse should not occlude the ear canal completely with the syringe. This can create excess pressure and potential harm to the patient.