For bilateral mineral oil ear drops with a side-lying plan, what is the correct instillation method?

For bilateral mineral oil ear drops with a side-lying plan, what is the correct instillation method?

• A. Instill the drops in the right ear, wait 10 minutes, and have him turn to the other side for the left eardrop instillation.
• B. Instill the drops in the right ear, insert a cotton swab, reposition him, and then instill drops in the left ear.
• C. Instill the drops in the right ear, and then 8 hours later, instill drops in the left ear.
• D. Instill the drops in the right ear, have Mr. Lewis sit upright, and then instill drops in the left ear.

Answer: (A)

Administering ear drops with a side-lying plan is done one ear at a time to ensure the medication stays in the ear canal and has a chance to work. Start by instilling into the right ear while the patient lies on that side, then wait about 5–10 minutes for the drops to travel into the canal. After that, reposition the patient to the other side to instill the left ear drops. This approach helps each ear receive the full dose and minimizes loss of medication. Avoid inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal, and don’t wait hours between ears or keep the patient upright during instillation, as these practices can reduce effectiveness.

Administering ear drops with a side-lying plan is done one ear at a time to ensure the medication stays in the ear canal and has a chance to work. Start by instilling into the right ear while the patient lies on that side, then wait about 5–10 minutes for the drops to travel into the canal. After that, reposition the patient to the other side to instill the left ear drops. This approach helps each ear receive the full dose and minimizes loss of medication. Avoid inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal, and don’t wait hours between ears or keep the patient upright during instillation, as these practices can reduce effectiveness.