Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a client about instilling pilocarpine for managing open-angle glaucoma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply)

A. Apply pressure to the lacrimal sac after instillation
B. Wait at least 5 minutes between instilling different eye medications
C. Use a clean tissue to wipe away excess medication
D. Administer the medication only in the affected eye

Answer 1

When instilling pilocarpine for glaucoma management, it's crucial to apply pressure to the lacrimal sac after instillation, wait at least 5 minutes between different eye medications, and wipe away excess medication with a clean tissue.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching a client about instilling pilocarpine for managing open-angle glaucoma, there are several important instructions a nurse should include:

• Apply pressure to the lacrimal sac after instillation to help prevent the medication from draining away from the eye, which can increase its effectiveness and reduce systemic absorption.
• Wait at least 5 minutes between instilling different eye medications to ensure that the first medication is not washed out by the subsequent one, allowing each medication to be properly absorbed.
• Use a clean tissue to wipe away excess medication from the eyelids and cheeks to prevent skin irritation or other side effects that might occur due to the medication coming into contact with the skin.

These practices are critical for the effective management of glaucoma, as they help maintain appropriate intraocular pressure levels and prevent potential damage to the optic nerve.