While administering ear drops to a toddler, a nurse by pulls the auricle down and back. The mother asks, "Why are you pulling the ear that way?" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

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.