Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 90%
Simulated
A 2-year-old child is ordered to have eardrops daily. Which action will the nurse take?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Pull the auricle down and back to straighten the ear canal. This is the correct action because in children younger than 3 years old, the ear canal is straighter and more horizontal. By pulling the auricle down and back, it helps to straighten the ear canal for proper administration of the eardrops. This position also allows the drops to flow easily into the ear canal.
Choice A is incorrect as pulling the auricle upward and outward is not the correct technique for administering eardrops in young children.
Choice C is incorrect as inserting a cotton ball into the innermost ear canal is not necessary for administering eardrops.
Choice D is incorrect as sitting the child up for 2 to 3 minutes after instilling drops in the ear canal is not the correct action for administering eardrops.
In summary, the correct technique for administering eardrops to a 2-year-old child is to pull the auricle down and back
Choice A is incorrect as pulling the auricle upward and outward is not the correct technique for administering eardrops in young children.
Choice C is incorrect as inserting a cotton ball into the innermost ear canal is not necessary for administering eardrops.
Choice D is incorrect as sitting the child up for 2 to 3 minutes after instilling drops in the ear canal is not the correct action for administering eardrops.
In summary, the correct technique for administering eardrops to a 2-year-old child is to pull the auricle down and back