Final answer:
During the otoscopic examination of a child younger than 3 years, the examiner checks for any abnormalities in the child's ears. This includes looking inside the ear canal and eardrum for signs of infection or other conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the otoscopic examination of a child younger than 3 years, the examiner checks for any abnormalities in the child's ears. The otoscope is used to look inside the child's ear canal and eardrum. The examiner may observe signs of infection, such as redness, fluid buildup, or bulging of the eardrum.
If the child has a condition like acute otitis media (AOM), which is an ear infection, the examiner may also notice swelling or inflammation in the middle ear. AOM is common in children between 3 months and 3 years of age.
It's important for the examiner to be gentle and make the child feel comfortable during the examination to ensure accurate results.