Final answer:
The nurse should withhold the eye drops and notify the healthcare provider due to the potential adverse effects on a patient with acute exacerbation of COPD.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most appropriate action by the nurse in this situation would be to withhold the eye drops and notify the healthcare provider. Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at a higher risk of adverse effects from medications that can affect respiratory function. Carteolol HCl (Ocupress) is a beta-blocker that can potentially cause bronchospasm and worsen the patient's COPD symptoms. Therefore, it is important to consult with the healthcare provider before administering the eye drops to ensure patient safety.