Eye Medication Administration: Best Practices and Key Points to Remember
What are some key nursing actions to remember when administering eye medication?
A) The nurse cleans the eye from inner to outer canthus with warm water and a clean wash cloth. B) The patient blinks and the eye drop falls on the outer lid after instillation. C) The nurse applies gentle pressure to the patient's nasolacrimal duct for 30-60 seconds. D) The nurse rests the dominant hand on the patient's forehead and uses this hand to administer the eye drops. E) The nurse applies the ointment along the inner edge of the lower eyelid from the outer to inner canthus.
Answer:
Further intervention is needed when an eye drop falls on the outer lid rather than in the eye, and when ointment is applied from the outer to the inner canthus, contrary to the eye's natural tear flow.
When administering eye medication, it is crucial to follow correct nursing actions to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and prevent potential complications. Two key points to remember are ensuring the eye drop falls directly into the eye and applying ointment in the direction of natural tear flow.
Explanation:
The two nursing actions that require further intervention due to their incorrect application are choices B and E. In option B, if a patient blinks and the eye drop falls on the outer lid after instillation, it means the medication hasn't been correctly applied and will likely not have the desired effect. The nurse needs to ensure the drop lands in the eye. Option E is incorrect because when applying ointment, it should be applied from the inner canthus (closest to the nose) to the outer canthus, not the reverse, to follow the natural path of tear flow and avoid pooling of medication.
This information relates to the anatomy of the eye and the way medication is best absorbed. Understanding the role of the lacrimal apparatus in tear production and its connection to the nasal cavity helps inform best practice for eye medication instillation. The other options all represent correct nursing procedures.
It is essential for nurses to be well-versed in proper eye medication administration to optimize patient care outcomes and ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.