The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old for "drainage from the nose." On assessment, it is found that there is a purulent drainage from the left nares that has a very foul odor and no drainage from the right nares. The child is afebrile with no other symptoms. What should the nurse do next?
a. Refer to the physician for an antibiotic order.
b. Have the mother bring the child back in 1 week.
c. Perform an otoscopic examination of the left nares.
d. Tell the mother that this is normal for children of this age.