While administering ear drops in a 2 years old child. Which of the following is done by the nursing officer while giving ear drops ear pinna is?(Image in question)

Appeared in: PGIMER NO - 2020

Explanation

For children under 3 years of age, the external auditory canal is shorter and has a more upward orientation.
Pulling the pinna backward and downward straightens this canal.
This allows the medication to travel effectively down the canal to the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
This technique ensures proper delivery and therapeutic effect of the medication.

Option A: Pulling the pinna upward and forward is an incorrect maneuver and does not straighten the ear canal for any age group.
Option B: Leaving the ear in its normal position will not straighten the natural curve of the auditory canal, preventing the medication from reaching the eardrum effectively.
Option D: Pulling the pinna forward and downward is an incorrect maneuver and does not align the ear canal for medication instillation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Pediatric ear drop administration technique to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Using the correct technique is essential for medication efficacy. An incorrect procedure can result in the medication pooling in the outer ear canal and not reaching the site of infection or impaction.
Patient safety is a key concern. Instilling cold ear drops can cause significant discomfort, dizziness, and nausea. Always warm the medication to room temperature by holding it in your hands for a few minutes.
What if the patient was 4 years old? The nurse would change the technique and pull the pinna upward and backward to straighten the S-shaped canal of an older child.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key information in the question stem: the procedure (administering ear drops) and the patient's age (2 years old).
Recall the anatomical differences of the ear canal based on age. Remember that for children under 3, the canal is different from that of older children and adults.
Associate the patient's age with the correct procedural step. The rule is 'down and back' for children under 3 and 'up and back' for those over 3.
Evaluate the options provided and select the one that matches the correct procedure for a 2-year-old child.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pediatric ear drop administration technique
Stem keywords: administering ear drops, 2 years old child, ear pinna
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following
Clinical cues: Patient age (2 years) is the critical determinant for the correct procedure.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 867-869

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 146-148

Practise the full PGIMER NO - 2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.