The nurse is preparing to administer a nasal instillation of medicatio

The nurse is preparing to administer a nasal instillation of medication to a client. The best position for accessing the posterior pharynx is to place the client in a supine position and tilt the client’s head:

1. Backward
2. Over the edge of the bed with the head to one side
3. Over a small pillow and back
4. In a chin-down position

ANSWER

ANS: 1
Placing the client’s head backward will allow the instillation to drop into the posterior pharynx. Turning the head to one side will allow the instillation to go into the frontal and maxillary sinus-es. Putting the head over a pillow and placing it back will instill the drops in the ethmoid or sphenoid sinuses. A chin-down position will not allow the medication to enter the posterior pharynx.