Ear instillation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ear instillation is the process of introducing otic medication or other liquids into the ear canal.
Proper care is needed in delivering such liquids.

Indications for ear instillation

 patients with otitis media
 patients with otitis externa
 patients with impacted cerumen (earwax)
 patients with foreign body obstruction

Contraindications for ear instillation

 hypersensitivity to the solution.
 perforated eardrum

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Categories:

 Routes of administration
 Ear
 Pharmacology
 Home Medicine Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps Ear Instillation

 Ear Instillation
 Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
COPYRIGHT 2006 Thomson Gale

 Ear Instillation
 Definition
 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.
 Purpose
 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
eardrops, stop using the medicine and contact the physician.
 Description
 To instill eardrops, have the patient lie on his or her side with the affected ear up. Gently
pull the lobe of the ear up and back to open the ear canal (down and back for children
under the age of three). Hold the medicine dropper just above the entrance to the ear
canal and squeeze out the correct number of drops. Release the ear and have the patient
remain still for five minutes to allow absorption of the eardrops. Repeat the procedure on
the other ear if ordered.



 Preparation
 The hands should be washed before administering ear drops. Check the medication label
each time to avoid medication errors. Be sure it is the right medicine, the right dose
(strength), the right time, the right person and the right method. Look at the expiration
date on the label. Do not use outdated medicine. Warm the eardrops to body temperature
by rolling the bottle in the hands for several minutes before the instillation.
 Aftercare
 Have tissues or a warm washcloth available to wipe off residual medicine that may drip
out of the ear when the patient sits up. A small piece of clean cotton ball may be placed
into the outer portion of the ear canal to absorb excess medicine if desired. Discard soiled
tissues and cotton in a bag that can be closed and discarded. Wipe the tip of the ear
dropper with a clean tissue and recap the bottle. The hands should be washed again after
completing the procedure.
 Complications
 Excessive use of eardrops can cause irritation and inflammation of the skin and
membranes of the ear.
 Results
 Ear instillations will produce the desired results within a few days. Contact the physician
if the patient experiences ear pain at the time of medicine instillation, or if the condition
does not improve.
 Health care team roles
 Ear instillations are usually administered by a licensed nurse (R.N. or L.P.N.) in the
health care setting. The patient or members of the patient's family can be taught to instill
ear medicines in the home setting.