The Nurse Is Caring for a Client with Otitis Media

The nurse is caring for a client with otitis media and notes purulent drainage in the ear canal during the physical assessment.Which is the nurse's priority intervention?

A) Obtain a specimen of the drainage for culture.
B) Irrigate the ear canal with sterile normal saline.
C) Gently examine the client's ear with an otoscope.
D) Place a cotton ball in the ear canal to absorb the drainage.