Question

A nurse is administering an otic medication to an older adult. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure that the medication reaches the inner ear?

1. Press gently on the tragus of the ear.
2. Pack a small piece of cotton deep into the ear.
3. Move auricle down and back toward the head.
4. Tilt the head backward for 5 min.

Answer 1

To ensure that the medication reaches the inner ear, the nurse should move the auricle down and back toward the head.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should take the following action to ensure that the medication reaches the inner ear:

1. Move the auricle down and back toward the head. This action helps straighten the ear canal and aligns it with the eardrum, allowing the medication to reach the inner ear effectively.

Pressing gently on the tragus of the ear (option 1) may cause discomfort and should be avoided. Packing a small piece of cotton deep into the ear (option 2) is also not recommended as it can block the medication from reaching the inner ear. Tilt the head backward for 5 minutes (option 4) is not necessary for otic medication administration.