Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

How should you position a resident to administer ear medication?

1. Lying flat on their back

2. Lateral

3. Sitting upright

4. Reclined in a chair

The correct answer is: Lateral

To properly administer ear medication, positioning the resident laterally—or on their side—is the most effective method. This position allows gravity to assist in the distribution of the medication into the ear canal, enhancing the medication's efficacy. When the resident lies on their side, the ear receiving the medication is facing upward, which helps ensure that the drops can travel down the canal effectively. In contrast, lying flat on the back could impede the flow of medication and complicate administration, as it might not allow for effective placement or penetration of the drops into the ear canal. Sitting upright can lead to challenges in ensuring that the medication reaches the deeper parts of the ear. While reclining in a chair may be comfortable, it doesn’t provide the optimal positioning for effective medication delivery. Therefore, the lateral position is critical for achieving the desired therapeutic effect when administering ear medication.