When administering ear drops to a child 4 years or older, how should you position the pinna?

When administering ear drops to a child 4 years or older, how should you position the pinna?

• A. Pull the pinna DOWN and BACK
• B. Pull the pinna UP and BACK
• C. Straighten the ear canal horizontally
• D. No adjustment needed; insert straight

Answer: (B)

To get ear drops to reach the eardrum, the external auditory canal must be straightened. For a child who is 4 years or older, pull the pinna up and back. This motion aligns the canal so the drops flow toward the tympanic membrane instead of curling outward. The canal in younger children is angled more downward, which is why those patients are treated by pulling the pinna down and back. Not adjusting or attempting to insert straight without repositioning won’t properly open the canal and can reduce effectiveness or cause discomfort.

To get ear drops to reach the eardrum, the external auditory canal must be straightened. For a child who is 4 years or older, pull the pinna up and back. This motion aligns the canal so the drops flow toward the tympanic membrane instead of curling outward. The canal in younger children is angled more downward, which is why those patients are treated by pulling the pinna down and back. Not adjusting or attempting to insert straight without repositioning won’t properly open the canal and can reduce effectiveness or cause discomfort.