A nurse is caring for a client who had total hip arthroplasty 2 days ago. Which of the following actions should the nurse take

Rationale:

A. Pull the client's pinna down and back to apply the solution.: Pulling the pinna down and back is the correct technique for infants and young children due to the angle of the ear canal. For adults, the pinna should be pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal. Using the incorrect direction can prevent proper visualization and reduce effectiveness of the irrigation.

B. Perform the procedure using sterile gloves.: Ear irrigation is a clean procedure, not a sterile one. The external ear canal is not a sterile environment, and using sterile gloves does not reduce infection risk. Clean gloves provide adequate protection while maintaining proper hygiene during cerumen removal.

C. Administer the irrigation solution at room temperature to the ear.: Using a solution at room temperature prevents stimulation of the vestibular system, which can cause dizziness, nausea, and vertigo. A temperature-neutral solution promotes client comfort and reduces physiologic irritation while effectively helping soften and remove cerumen.

D. Apply a stream of pressure as long as the client can tolerate.: Using forceful or prolonged pressure can damage the tympanic membrane or push cerumen deeper into the canal. Irrigation should be done gently, allowing the solution to flow along the canal wall and stopping immediately if the client reports pain or dizziness to avoid injury.

Rationale:

A. A client who has a complete femur fracture and reports a pain level of 7 on a scale from 0 to 10: Severe pain is significant and requires timely management, but it is not immediately life-threatening compared to acute cardiac events. Pain control should follow stabilization of critical conditions.

B. A client who has left shoulder pain and S-T elevation on a 12-lead ECG: ST-segment elevation indicates a possible acute myocardial infarction, which is a life-threatening emergency. Prompt assessment and intervention are crucial to prevent cardiac damage or death, making this the highest priority.

C. A client who has Clostridium difficile and a temperature of 38.5°C (101.5°F): Fever and infection require attention, but this client is currently stable compared with someone experiencing an acute myocardial infarction. Infection control and monitoring can follow stabilization of higher-priority emergencies.

D. A client who has orthostatic hypotension and 4+ pitting edema in the lower extremities: These findings indicate fluid imbalance and cardiovascular compromise, but they are not as immediately life-threatening as an acute STEMI. Monitoring and management should follow urgent cardiac care.