A nurse at a health care facility has to instill ear drops in a client. The nurse knows that which of the following aspects of correct administration varies between an adult client and child client?

Question

A) Manipulation of the client's ear to straighten the auditory canal
B) Dilution of the medication drops before instilling in the client's ear
C) Position in which the client remains until medication reaches the eardrum
D) Amount of time before instilling medication in the client's opposite ear

Answer 1

A
Feedback:
The nurse should be aware that the method of manipulation of the client's ear to straighten the auditory canal varies between an adult and child client. In a young client, the nurse pulls the ear down; in an adult client, the nurse pulls the ear up and back. The medication is not diluted; the number of medication drops instilled is as per the physician's prescription and does not depend on the client's age. The position in which the client remains until the medication reaches the eardrum and the amount of time before instilling medication in the client's opposite ear does not differ with the age of the client.