The patient reports to the nurse about a perceived decrease in hearing. When the nurse examines the patient's ear, a large amount of cerumen buildup at the entrance to the ear canal is observed. Which action will the nurse take next?

A) Teach the patient how to use cotton-tipped applicators.
B) Tell the patient to use a bobby pin to extract earwax.
C) Apply gentle, downward retraction of the ear canal.
D) Instill hot water into the ear canal to melt the wax.

When cerumen is visible, gentle, downward retraction at the entrance to the ear canal causes the wax to loosen and slip out. Instruct the patient never to use sharp objects such as bobby pins or paper clips to remove earwax. Use of such objects can traumatize the ear canal and ruptures the tympanic membrane. Avoid the use of cotton-tipped applicators as well because they cause earwax to become impacted within the canal. Instilling cold or hot water causes nausea or vomiting.