Question

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client with bacterial conjunctivitis of the right eye, and a prescription for an antibiotic ophthalmic ointment. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A. "Keep your eye open for 30 sec after instilling the ointment." Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to close the eyelids without squeezing them shut to spread the medication over the eyeball.
B. "Apply the ointment in a thin line into the conjunctival sac." Rationale: This is the correct procedure for applying ophthalmic ointment. The medication should be administered (in a thin line) into the conjunctival sac, rather than being placed directly on the globe of the eye. This ensures that more of the medication meels the surfaces of the eye when the client blinks.
C. "Always wipe from the outer to the inner canthus when wiping away secretions."
Rationale: The client should be advised to wipe from the inner canthus (closer to the nose) to the outer canthus (closer to the ear) to avoid cross-contamination of the lacrimal duct and unaffected eye with infectious secretions.
D. "Use a sterile glove and applicator to apply the antibiotic ointment."
Rationale: Ophthalmic ointments are applied directly from the tube, using clean technique. The tube should not be allowed to touch the eye, and it should be recapped as soon as the ointment has been dispensed.

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client to apply the ointment in a thin line into the conjunctival sac, wipe secretions from the inner to the outer canthus, and apply the ointment using clean technique without the need for gloves or an applicator.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should make the following statement: 'Apply the ointment in a thin line into the conjunctival sac.' This is the correct procedure for applying ophthalmic ointment. The medication should be administered in a thin line into the conjunctival sac, rather than being placed directly on the globe of the eye. This ensures that more of the medication reaches the surfaces of the eye when the client blinks.

The nurse should also instruct the client to wipe from the inner canthus (closer to the nose) to the outer canthus (closer to the ear) when wiping away secretions. This prevents cross-contamination of the lacrimal duct and unaffected eye with infectious secretions.

Lastly, the nurse should emphasize that ophthalmic ointments are applied directly from the tube using clean technique. A sterile glove and applicator are not necessary. The tube should not touch the eye and should be recapped as soon as the ointment has been dispensed.