How long should a client remain level after administering eardrops?

The correct duration for a client to remain level after administering eardrops is 3-5 minutes. This timeframe is critical for ensuring that the medication remains in the ear canal long enough to be absorbed effectively and to achieve its therapeutic effect.

Staying level allows the medication to permeate the tympanic membrane properly and minimizes the risk of it leaking out. If a client remains in this position for too short a time, the medication may not be retained adequately, which can result in reduced efficacy and potential complications, depending on the nature of the ear condition being treated.

While the timeframes suggested by the other options vary, they do not provide enough time to maximize absorption of the eardrops. For example, staying for just a minute or less might not allow sufficient time for the medication to work effectively, whereas recommending an extended duration beyond 5 minutes could be unnecessary and impractical. Thus, 3-5 minutes is found to be the optimal recommendation for this practice.