A nurse is preparing to administer ear drops to a 2-year-old toddler who has an ear infection and a small amount of purulent drainage visible around the ear. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use when instilling the medication?

A. Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to instillation. Using a microwave to warm ear drops is unsafe, as it can cause uneven heating and potentially burn the delicate ear structures. Instead, the medication should be warmed by holding the container in the hands for a few minutes. B. Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops. Wearing gloves prevents contamination, and cleaning the outer ear removes purulent drainage, ensuring the medication reaches the ear canal properly. This is an essential step in infection control and medication effectiveness. C. Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops. Inserting a cotton ball too firmly can trap moisture and bacteria, potentially worsening the infection. If needed, a loosely placed cotton ball may be used, but it should not be forced into the canal. D. Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops. This technique is used for adults and children over 3 years old. In a 2-year-old, the correct method is to pull the auricle downward and back to straighten the ear canal for proper medication administration.