EAR IRRIGATION AND INSTILLATION.

1. Presented by
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)
EAR IRRIGATION

2. DEFINITION
• Ear irrigation is a procedure used to clean the external auditory
canal by flushing it with a prescribed solution.
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

3. INDICATIONS-
 Removal of impacted cerumen (ear wax)
 Removal of foreign bodies (non-swelling)
 Cleaning ear discharge (as ordered)
 Before ear examination or treatment
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

4. ARTICLES
•Kidney tray
•Mackintosh and towel
•Ear irrigation syringe (50–100 ml)
•Prescribed solution (lukewarm water / normal saline)
•Cotton balls
•Gloves
•Receiver (emesis basin)
•Torch (if needed) MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

5. PROCEDURE
 Identify the patient and check the doctor’s order.
 Arrange all required supplies at the bedside.
 Perform hand hygiene thoroughly.
 Explain the procedure to the patient and obtain verbal consent.
 Assist the patient into a sitting or lying position with the head tilted toward the
affected ear.
 Inform the patient that they may feel fullness or mild discomfort when the fluid
comes in contact with the tympanic membrane.
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

6. CONTI….
 Place a moisture-resistant towel around the patient’s shoulder, under the ear to be
irrigated.
 Position a basin under the ear to collect the solution.
 Fill the syringe with the prescribed solution.
 Straighten the ear canal by gently pulling the pinna
 Adult: up and backward
 Child: down and backward
 Insert the tip of the syringe into the auditory meatus and gently direct the solution upward
along the roof of the ear canal. MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

7. CONTI….
 Continue instilling the fluid until the solution is used or the ear canal is cleaned.
 Ensure the outward flow of the solution is not blocked by the syringe tip.
 Assist the patient into a side-lying position on the affected ear to allow
drainage.
 Place cotton fluff in the auditory meatus to absorb excess fluid.
 Perform hand hygiene after the procedure.
 Document the procedure, noting the effectiveness, type and amount of solution
used, date, and time.
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

8. Presented by
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)
EAR INSTILLATION

9. DEFINITION
• Ear instillation is a procedure in which prescribed medication in drop form is
introduced into the external auditory canal for therapeutic purposes.
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

10. INDICATIONS-
• Ear infection (otitis externa)
• Ear inflammation
• Ear pain
• Excessive ear wax (to soften wax)
• Local treatment of the ear
• As prescribed by the doctor
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

11. ARTICLES
• Doctor’s prescription
• Prescribed ear drops
• Dropper (if not attached to bottle)
• Cotton balls / cotton fluff
• Kidney tray
• Towel / mackintosh
• Gloves
• Torch (if required)
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

12. PROCEDURE
 Check the doctor’s order.
 Explain the procedure to the mother / caregiver / child.
 Keep all required articles ready for the procedure.
 Perform hand hygiene.
 Follow the rights of medication administration.
 Position the child lying on the side or sitting, with the right ear facing
upward.
 Clean the external auditory meatus using a wet cotton swab, if necessary.
 Perform hand hygiene. MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)

13. CONTI….
 Open the medication container and take the medicine using a dropper.
 Gently pull the pinna of the right ear downward and backward (correct for
child).
 Instill 2 drops by holding the dropper about ½ inch above the ear canal,
without touching it.
 Keep the child in the same position for a few minutes.
 Loosely plug the ear canal with a cotton ball.
 Perform hand hygiene.
 Replace and clean the articles used.
 Document the procedure and findings.
MS. Aneeta Sharma
M.Sc. Tutor(Child health nursing)