Question

A patient with eye pain is scheduled for slit-lamp testing. What pre-procedure teaching does the nurse provide to the patient?

1.Your eyes may be anesthetized during the test
2.Take nothing by mouth for four hours before the test
3.Take an over-the-counter analgesic before the test
4.Restrict intake to less than two cups of fluid before the test

Answer 1

Before a slit-lamp examination, the patient should be informed that an anesthetic eye drop may be used to numb the eye, and they should remain still during the test. No restrictions on food or fluid intake are necessary unless advised by a physician.

Step-by-step explanation:

When preparing a patient for a slit-lamp examination, it is important to provide appropriate pre-procedure teaching to ensure that the patient knows what to expect and how to prepare. The most accurate information to convey would be that their eyes may be anesthetized during the test. This is because anesthetic eye drops are often used to numb the surface of the eye, preventing discomfort during the examination. Informing the patient that they may experience a brief stinging sensation from the drops and may notice their eyes feeling a little numb is useful. The patient does not need to take any analgesics before the test, nor are there any requirements to restrict fluids or food unless otherwise directed by the physician for specific reasons. The focus should be on making sure the patient understands the procedure, that they will be seated and their chin will be resting on a support, and that they should try to remain still while the doctor examines their eye with the slit lamp microscope.