Ms. Sloane is to receive olive oil in both ears at night for cerumen impaction. What intervention should the practical nurse perform?

Ms. Sloane is to receive olive oil in both ears at night for cerumen impaction. What intervention should the practical nurse perform?

• A. Application of a small cotton ball at the meatus after instillation of the ear drops
• B. Removal of coarse ear hairs
• C. Referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician
• D. Evacuation of the cerumen using a cotton-tipped swab

Answer: (A)

Softening ear wax with an oil-based agent starts with keeping the solution in place. After instilling olive oil, placing a small cotton ball at the external opening of the ear (the meatus) helps seal the canal and prevents the oil from leaking onto the pillow or clothing. This retention aids the oil in softening the cerumen overnight, improving the chances of natural drainage or subsequent removal when assessed. Other actions aren’t appropriate here because removing ear hairs isn’t a treatment for cerumen impaction, and evacuating with a cotton-tipped swab can push wax deeper and injure the canal or eardrum. Referral to ENT is not necessary unless the impaction persists or there are complicating signs.

Softening ear wax with an oil-based agent starts with keeping the solution in place. After instilling olive oil, placing a small cotton ball at the external opening of the ear (the meatus) helps seal the canal and prevents the oil from leaking onto the pillow or clothing. This retention aids the oil in softening the cerumen overnight, improving the chances of natural drainage or subsequent removal when assessed.

Other actions aren’t appropriate here because removing ear hairs isn’t a treatment for cerumen impaction, and evacuating with a cotton-tipped swab can push wax deeper and injure the canal or eardrum. Referral to ENT is not necessary unless the impaction persists or there are complicating signs.