How should one pull the pinna of the ear when administering ear drops to a child?

When administering ear drops to a child, the correct technique for pulling the pinna of the ear is down and back. This method is particularly important because children's ear canals are shaped differently from adults', and pulling the ear in this direction helps to straighten the ear canal for better access.

By angling the pinna down and back, you create a more direct pathway for the drops to reach the eardrum and ensure optimal delivery of the medication. This technique reduces the likelihood of the drops simply running out of the ear or not being properly distributed within the ear canal.

The other options, such as pulling the pinna up and back, flat to the side, or forward and up, do not accommodate the anatomical differences of a child's ear and could lead to ineffective administration of the drops. Thus, using the down and back technique is essential for the safe and effective administration of ear drops in children.