Question

A nurse is preparing to administer eye drops to a client following surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when instilling the eye drops?

A. Drop the eye medication into the lower conjunctival sac
B. Apply gentle pressure to the outer opening of the eye for 2 min
C. Hold the eyedropper 0.5 cm (0.2 in) from the cornea
D. Instruct the client to close the eyes tightly after administration

Answer 1

In administering eye drops post-surgery, a nurse should drop the medication into the lower conjunctival sac and avoid touching the eye with the dropper. The eyes should be closed gently, not tightly, and punctal occlusion can be applied for a few seconds.

Step-by-step explanation:

When administering eye drops to a client after surgery, the nurse should take specific actions for a safe and effective administration. The correct option from those listed is: A. Drop the eye medication into the lower conjunctival sac. This method reduces the risk of injury to the cornea and ensures that the medication is properly absorbed.

Droppers should be held about 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) above the eye, not 0.5 cm as is otherwise suggested. It is crucial to avoid touching the dropper to the eye or eyelashes to prevent contamination. After administering the drops, the client should close their eyes gently, not tightly, which could squeeze the medication out.

Additionally, applying gentle pressure to the lacrimal punctum, which is called punctal occlusion, can prevent the medication from draining away too quickly. This step is generally recommended for a few seconds, not the 2 minutes suggested in one of the options.