A nurse is caring for a child who is to receive percussion, vibration, and postural drainage. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Inwardly turned foot on the affected side.

This finding is consistent with DDH. In infants with DDH, the affected leg may appear shortened and rotated inwardly due to hip instability or dislocation.

B. Lengthened thigh on the affected side.

This finding is not typically associated with DDH. In fact, the affected thigh may appear shortened rather than lengthened due to abnormal positioning of the hip joint.

C. Absent plantar reflexes.

Absent plantar reflexes are not directly related to DDH. Plantar reflexes assess the function of the spinal nerves in the lower extremities and are not typically affected by hip dysplasia.

D. Asymmetric thigh folds.

This finding is consistent with DDH. Asymmetric thigh folds, where one thigh appears fuller or has more skin folds compared to the other, can be indicative of hip dysplasia. The skin folds may be more prominent on the unaffected side due to the displacement of the femoral head on the affected side.

A. "When I use this technique the medication will not run out of the ear."

This explanation is not entirely accurate. While pulling the auricle down and back may help prevent ear drops from immediately dripping out of the ear, the primary purpose of this technique is to straighten the ear canal, facilitating the passage of the medication into the inner ear region for optimal effectiveness. The prevention of medication runoff is a secondary benefit.

B. “This opens the ear canal, allowing medication to reach the inner ear region.”

This explanation is correct. Pulling the auricle down and back helps to straighten the ear canal, making it easier for the ear drops to enter the ear canal and reach the inner ear where they can effectively treat the condition. This is the main purpose of using this technique.

C. “This is the safest and easiest way to administer this medication.”

While pulling the auricle down and back is a commonly used technique for administering ear drops, describing it as the safest and easiest way may not fully capture its purpose. Safety and ease of administration are important considerations, but the primary rationale for this technique is to facilitate the delivery of medication to the inner ear.

D. “When I use the technique, your child experiences less pain.”

This explanation is inaccurate. Pulling the auricle down and back may not directly reduce pain. The main purpose of this technique is to ensure that the medication reaches the inner ear region for effective treatment. While discomfort during administration may be minimized with proper technique, the primary focus is on medication delivery rather than pain reduction.