Which step involves positioning the patient for administration?

Which step involves positioning the patient for administration?

• A. Have patient lie on side with affected ear up
• B. Straighten ear canal by pulling auricle up and back
• C. Gently clean drainage with tissue paper or cotton tipped applicator
• D. Support hand hold dropper against head

Answer: (A)

Positioning for ear-drop administration focuses on where the head sits so the drops reach and stay in the ear canal long enough to be absorbed. Having the patient lie on their side with the affected ear up uses gravity to keep the medication in contact with the canal and toward the eardrum, increasing effectiveness and reducing dripping out. The other steps involve techniques to access the canal or control the dropper, but they don’t address how the patient’s body is positioned for the medication to work best.

Positioning for ear-drop administration focuses on where the head sits so the drops reach and stay in the ear canal long enough to be absorbed. Having the patient lie on their side with the affected ear up uses gravity to keep the medication in contact with the canal and toward the eardrum, increasing effectiveness and reducing dripping out. The other steps involve techniques to access the canal or control the dropper, but they don’t address how the patient’s body is positioned for the medication to work best.