A nurse is preparing to instill eardrops to a 5-year-old child. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

Choice A reason: Pulling the auricle up and out is not a recognized technique for any age group and may distort the ear canal, making instillation difficult. Choice B reason: Pulling the auricle up and back is appropriate for children older than 3 years and adults. However, for younger children, the anatomy of the ear canal requires a different approach. Choice C reason: Pulling the auricle down and out is not standard practice and may not align the canal properly for medication delivery. Choice D reason: For children under 3 years, the ear canal is more horizontal. Pulling the auricle down and back straightens the canal, allowing proper instillation of eardrops and ensuring therapeutic effectiveness.