Final answer:
The nurse should place the patient with the left ear upward after a left stapedectomy in the Trendelenburg position. This position helps promote drainage, reduces the risk of complications, and aids in healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should place the patient with the left ear upward after a left stapedectomy. This position, known as the Trendelenburg position, helps promote drainage and reduces the risk of swelling or bleeding in the surgical area. It also helps prevent dislodgment of the prosthetic stapes.
In the Trendelenburg position, the patient lies flat on their back with the head tilted slightly downward and the left ear raised. This allows the surgical site to be elevated and aided by gravity to improve blood flow and healing.