For a six‑year‑old patient, how should you position for ear drops to be administered correctly?

For a six‑year‑old patient, how should you position for ear drops to be administered correctly?

• A. Pull the ear pinna down and back
• B. Position the client on their side with the ear to be treated against a pillow
• C. Pull the ear pinna up and back
• D. Place cotton directly into the ear canal after administration

Answer: (C)

The key idea is to straighten the ear canal so the drops can reach the eardrum effectively. For a child around six, you pull the pinna up and back. This straightens the ear canal and helps the medication flow in smoothly without pinching or curling the canal, which would make administration harder and less effective. Pulling the pinna down and back is a technique used for younger children, whose ear canals angle differently, so it isn’t appropriate here. Positioning the child on their side with the treated ear against a pillow doesn’t optimize drop retention in the canal, whereas tilting the head so the ear canal is open lets the liquid stay where it’s supposed to go. Placing cotton directly into the ear canal after administration isn’t advised because it can push drops deeper or wick them away; if used, a small piece at the opening to catch drips—not deep insertion—is acceptable.

The key idea is to straighten the ear canal so the drops can reach the eardrum effectively. For a child around six, you pull the pinna up and back. This straightens the ear canal and helps the medication flow in smoothly without pinching or curling the canal, which would make administration harder and less effective. Pulling the pinna down and back is a technique used for younger children, whose ear canals angle differently, so it isn’t appropriate here. Positioning the child on their side with the treated ear against a pillow doesn’t optimize drop retention in the canal, whereas tilting the head so the ear canal is open lets the liquid stay where it’s supposed to go. Placing cotton directly into the ear canal after administration isn’t advised because it can push drops deeper or wick them away; if used, a small piece at the opening to catch drips—not deep insertion—is acceptable.