A nurse is preparing to administer ear drops to a 2-year-old toddler who has an ear infection and a small amount of purulent drainage visible around the ear. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use when instilling the medication?
Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops.
Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops.
Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops.
Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to installation.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops. Firmly pushing a cotton ball into the ear canal is not recommended as it can cause irritation or damage to the ear canal. A loose cotton ball can be placed at the entrance of the ear canal to prevent the drops from leaking out, but it should not be inserted deeply.
B. Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops. For a child under 3 years old, the ear auricle should be pulled downward and backward to straighten the ear canal for proper administration of ear drops. Pulling upward and outward is appropriate for older children and adults.
C. Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops. Applying clean gloves and cleaning the outer ear is essential for preventing infection and ensuring that the medication is administered properly. This is a standard procedure to maintain hygiene.
D. Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to installation. Microwaving medication is not recommended as it can overheat and degrade the medication. Warming the drops by holding the container in your hands for a few minutes is safer and helps to avoid the discomfort of cold drops.
A. Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops. Firmly pushing a cotton ball into the ear canal is not recommended as it can cause irritation or damage to the ear canal. A loose cotton ball can be placed at the entrance of the ear canal to prevent the drops from leaking out, but it should not be inserted deeply.
B. Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops. For a child under 3 years old, the ear auricle should be pulled downward and backward to straighten the ear canal for proper administration of ear drops. Pulling upward and outward is appropriate for older children and adults.
C. Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops. Applying clean gloves and cleaning the outer ear is essential for preventing infection and ensuring that the medication is administered properly. This is a standard procedure to maintain hygiene.
D. Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to installation. Microwaving medication is not recommended as it can overheat and degrade the medication. Warming the drops by holding the container in your hands for a few minutes is safer and helps to avoid the discomfort of cold drops.
A. Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops. Firmly pushing a cotton ball into the ear canal is not recommended as it can cause irritation or damage to the ear canal. A loose cotton ball can be placed at the entrance of the ear canal to prevent the drops from leaking out, but it should not be inserted deeply.
B. Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops. For a child under 3 years old, the ear auricle should be pulled downward and backward to straighten the ear canal for proper administration of ear drops. Pulling upward and outward is appropriate for older children and adults.
C. Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops. Applying clean gloves and cleaning the outer ear is essential for preventing infection and ensuring that the medication is administered properly. This is a standard procedure to maintain hygiene.
D. Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to installation. Microwaving medication is not recommended as it can overheat and degrade the medication. Warming the drops by holding the container in your hands for a few minutes is safer and helps to avoid the discomfort of cold drops.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "He takes his medication between meals with water." Taking carbamazepine with food helps reduce gastrointestinal upset, but taking it between meals is not critical unless there are specific issues. This is not a priority unless the patient is experiencing significant GI discomfort.
B. "He only sleeps about 5 hours each night." Insufficient sleep can exacerbate seizure disorders, but it is not directly life-threatening. Improving sleep hygiene is important but not the most immediate concern compared to other symptoms.
C. "He seems to be getting a lot more bumps and bruises lately." Increased bruising can indicate thrombocytopenia, a potential side effect of carbamazepine, which can lead to serious bleeding issues. This is the priority as it may indicate a severe adverse effect requiring immediate medical attention and possible adjustment of medication.
D. "He has not been eating as much lately." Decreased appetite can be a side effect of many medications, including carbamazepine, but it is generally not immediately dangerous unless it leads to significant weight loss or nutritional deficiencies. It’s important but not the most urgent concern.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "I will notify the doctor if his temperature is not controlled with acetaminophen." Notifying the doctor if the temperature is not controlled with acetaminophen is appropriate, as persistent fever might indicate a more severe infection or other complications.
B. "I will continue to check his blood sugar two times every day." Checking blood sugar only twice a day is insufficient during illness, especially for a child with type 1 diabetes. Blood glucose levels can fluctuate significantly due to infection, and more frequent monitoring (at least 4 times a day or as recommended) is necessary.
C. "I will report changes in breathing or signs of confusion." Reporting changes in breathing or signs of confusion is essential, as these can be signs of worsening infection, respiratory distress, or diabetic ketoacidosis, which requires immediate medical attention.
D. "I will encourage him to drink a half a cup of water or sugar-free fluid every 30 minutes." Encouraging fluid intake is important to prevent dehydration and help manage blood glucose levels during illness. Ensuring adequate hydration with water or sugar-free fluids is appropriate.
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