A nurse is completing an otoscopic examination on a 3-year-old child brought in with a fever and "pulling at the left ear for 2 days.” What should the nurse anticipate on examination of the left ear?

Flat and slightly pulled membrane with a cone of light at 5 o'clock.

Erythematous, bulging membrane with an absent cone of light.

Bright red color of the membrane with the cone of light at 7 o’clock.

Translucent and pearly gray membrane with a prominent cone of light.