How should you position the pinna when administering ear drops to a child under 3 years old?

How should you position the pinna when administering ear drops to a child under 3 years old?

• A. Tilt the head
• B. Pull the pinna UP and back
• C. Pull the pinna DOWN and back
• D. Pull the pinna straight

Answer: (C)

For a child under 3, gently pulling the pinna downward and backward straightens the ear canal so the ear drops can flow toward the eardrum. The canal in younger children angles more horizontally, and this maneuver aligns it to make administration easier and more effective. Tilting the head alone doesn’t straighten the canal, pulling up and back is the technique used for older children and adults, and pulling the pinna straight isn’t sufficient to align the canal for proper delivery.

For a child under 3, gently pulling the pinna downward and backward straightens the ear canal so the ear drops can flow toward the eardrum. The canal in younger children angles more horizontally, and this maneuver aligns it to make administration easier and more effective. Tilting the head alone doesn’t straighten the canal, pulling up and back is the technique used for older children and adults, and pulling the pinna straight isn’t sufficient to align the canal for proper delivery.