When administering ear drops to a 2-year-old, the nurse:
Pulls the lobe up & back.
Instructs the parents to hold the child upright for 10 minutes.
Pulls the pinna down and back.
Massages the tragus for 2 minutes before administering the drops.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Pulling the lobe up and back is the correct technique for administering ear drops to adults and children older than three years of age. This maneuver straightens the ear canal in older individuals due to the anatomical development and orientation of the Eustachian tube and external auditory meatus.
Choice B rationale
Instructing parents to hold the child upright for 10 minutes is an appropriate post-administration instruction to facilitate medication absorption and prevent spillage. However, this action is not part of the physical technique for correctly preparing the ear canal for drop instillation.
Choice C rationale
For children under 3 years old, the external auditory canal is straighter and angled differently than in adults. Pulling the pinna down and back straightens this shorter, more upwardly curved canal, allowing the medication to flow more effectively and reach the tympanic membrane for optimal absorption.
Choice D rationale
Massaging the tragus after instillation helps to distribute the medication throughout the ear canal and facilitate its passage deeper. However, massaging the tragus before administering the drops does not contribute to straightening the ear canal and is not a preparatory step for instillation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Having the patient lie flat before administering medications through a tube increases the risk of aspiration, as gastric contents can reflux into the esophagus and potentially enter the airway. Proper patient positioning is crucial to promote safe medication delivery and prevent pulmonary complications.
Choice B rationale
Administering medications when gastric residual volume is 200 mL or more is generally not recommended. A high residual volume indicates delayed gastric emptying, increasing the risk of aspiration and potentially affecting medication absorption. Typically, residuals of 200-250 mL or more warrant holding the feeding and reassessing.
Choice C rationale
Mixing all medications together before administration is often inappropriate and can lead to several problems. Drug incompatibilities can occur, altering medication effectiveness, causing precipitation, or leading to tube occlusion. Each medication should generally be administered separately, flushed with water between doses.
Choice D rationale
Elevating the head of the patient's bed to at least 30 degrees before administering medications through a tube significantly reduces the risk of aspiration. This semi-Fowler's position utilizes gravity to keep gastric contents in the stomach, promoting safe passage of medications and minimizing reflux into the esophagus and lungs.
Correct Answer is ["2"]
Explanation
Step 1 is convert grams to milligrams. 1 g = 1000 mg.
Step 2 is calculate how many milliliters will the nurse administer. 800 mg ÷ (1000 mg ÷ 2.5 mL) = 800 mg ÷ 400 mg/mL = 2 mL.
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