Question

The nurse is preparing to use an otoscope to examine an adult patient's external ear structures. What should the nurse do to ensure the ear canal is straight?

A. Pull the pinna down
B. Pull the pinna up and back
C. Hold the otoscope upright
D. Tilt the patient's head toward the nurse

Answer 1

To ensure the ear canal is straight, the nurse should pull the pinna up and back.

Step-by-step explanation:

To ensure the ear canal is straight, the nurse should pull the pinna up and back. The pinna is the visible part of the ear that protrudes from the head. By pulling it up and back, the nurse straightens the ear canal, allowing for better visualization and examination of the external ear structures using the otoscope.