ear instillation
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
An ear instillation is a solution of topical medicine prepared for
administration into the ear canal. Medicine instilled into the ear is
absorbed through the skin of the ear canal and membranes of the eardrum.
Ear instillations are used primarily to treat wax build-up and inflammations or infections of the ear.
Precautions
Do not place the medicine dropper tip or cotton swabs directly into
the ear canal, as this can traumatize the skin of the ear canal. Do not
touch anything with the tip of the medicine dropper to prevent
contamination. If the patient experiences pain from ear drops, stop using the medicine and contact the physician.
Procedure
- Perform hand hygiene
- Organize equipment
- Verify client
- Prepare medication adhering 10 rights of drug administration
- Put on gloves
- Position the patient
- Pull ear up and down for adults
- Pull ear down and back for children
- Administer orderd number of drops
- Wipe excess medication using cotton balls
- Let patient stay in position for 5 minutes
