A nurse is preparing to administer ear drops to a 2-year-old toddler who has an ear infection and a small amount of purulent drainage visible around the ear. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use when instilling the medication?

Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to instillation.

Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops.

Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops.

Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops.