A nurse administers ear drops to a toddler and pulls the auricle down and back. The mother asks, "Why are you pulling the ear that way?" Which of the following explanations should the nurse provide?

A. "This is the safest and easiest way to administer this medication." While safety and ease are important, the primary reason for pulling the auricle down and back in toddlers is to properly align the ear canal for medication delivery, not just convenience or safety. B. "When this technique is used, the toddler experiences less pain." Although proper technique can reduce discomfort, the main goal is to straighten the ear canal for better medication flow rather than directly reducing pain. C. "This technique opens the ear canal, allowing medication to reach the inner ear region." Pulling the auricle down and back straightens the ear canal in toddlers and young children, which facilitates the medication’s access to the tympanic membrane and middle ear area, improving effectiveness. D. "When this technique is used, the medication will not run out of the ear." Medication retention depends on administration and positioning after drops, but pulling the auricle down and back primarily helps open the canal.