ATI PN Pharmacology: Eye & Ear Medications
1. Betaxolol hydrochloride eye drops have been prescribed for
a client with glaucoma. Which nursing action is most
appropriate related to monitoring for side and adverse effects
of this medication?
1. Assessing for edema
2. Monitoring temperature
3. Monitoring blood pressure
4. Assessing blood glucose level: 3. Monitoring blood pressure
Rationale:
Hypotension, dizziness, nausea, diaphoresis, headache, fatigue,
constipation, and diarrhea are side and adverse effects of the
medication. Nursing interventions include monitoring the blood
pressure for hypotension and assessing the pulse for strength,
weakness, irregular rate, and bradycardia. Options 1, 2, and 4 are not
specifically associated with this medication.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer eye drops. Which
interventions should the nurse take to administer the drops?
Select all that apply.
1. Wash hands.
2. Put gloves on.
3. Place the drop in the conjunctival sac.
4. Pull the lower lid down against the cheekbone.
5. Instruct the client to squeeze the eyes shut after instilling
the eye drop.
6. Instruct the client to tilt the head forward, open the eyes,
and look down.: 1. Wash hands.
2. Put gloves on.
3. Place the drop in the conjunctival sac.
4. Pull the lower lid down against the cheekbone.
Rationale:
To administer eye medications, the nurse should wash hands and put
gloves on. The client is instructed to tilt the head backward, open the
eyes, and look up. The nurse pulls the lower lid down against the
,cheekbone and holds the bottle like a pencil with the tip downward.
Holding the bottle, the nurse gently rests the wrist of the hand on the
client's cheek and squeezes the bottle gently to allow the drop to fall
into the conjunctival sac. The client is instructed to close the eyes
gently and not to squeeze the eyes shut to prevent the loss of
medication.
, 3. The nurse prepares a client for ear irrigation as prescribed
by the health care provider. Which action should the nurse
take when performing the procedure?
1. Warm the irrigating solution to 98.6°F (37.0°C) .
2. Position the client with the affected side up following the
irrigation.
3. Direct a slow, steady stream of irrigation solution toward the
eardrum.
4. Assist the client to turn his or her head so that the ear to
be irrigated is facing upward.: 1. Warm the irrigating solution
to 98.6°F (37.0°C) .
Rationale:
Before ear irrigation, the nurse should inspect the tympanic
membrane to ensure that it is intact. The irrigating solution should be
warmed to 98.6°F (37.0°C) be- cause a solution temperature that is
not close to the client's body temperature will cause ear injury,
nausea, and vertigo. The affected side should be down following the
irrigation to assist in drainage of the fluid. When irrigating, a direct and
slow steady stream of irrigation solution is directed toward the wall of
the canal, not toward the eardrum. The client is positioned sitting,
facing forward with the head in a natural position; if the ear is faced
upward, the nurse would not be able to visualize the canal.
4. The nurse is providing instructions to a client who will be
self-administer- ing eye drops. To minimize systemic
absorption of the eye drops, the nurse should instruct the
client to take which action?
1. Eat before instilling the drops.
2. Swallow several times after instilling the drops.
3. Blink vigorously to encourage tearing after instilling the
drops.
4. Occlude the nasolacrimal duct with a finger after instilling
the drops.: 4. Occlude the nasolacrimal duct with a finger after
instilling the drops.
Rationale:
Applying pressure on the nasolacrimal duct prevents systemic
1. Betaxolol hydrochloride eye drops have been prescribed for
a client with glaucoma. Which nursing action is most
appropriate related to monitoring for side and adverse effects
of this medication?
1. Assessing for edema
2. Monitoring temperature
3. Monitoring blood pressure
4. Assessing blood glucose level: 3. Monitoring blood pressure
Rationale:
Hypotension, dizziness, nausea, diaphoresis, headache, fatigue,
constipation, and diarrhea are side and adverse effects of the
medication. Nursing interventions include monitoring the blood
pressure for hypotension and assessing the pulse for strength,
weakness, irregular rate, and bradycardia. Options 1, 2, and 4 are not
specifically associated with this medication.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer eye drops. Which
interventions should the nurse take to administer the drops?
Select all that apply.
1. Wash hands.
2. Put gloves on.
3. Place the drop in the conjunctival sac.
4. Pull the lower lid down against the cheekbone.
5. Instruct the client to squeeze the eyes shut after instilling
the eye drop.
6. Instruct the client to tilt the head forward, open the eyes,
and look down.: 1. Wash hands.
2. Put gloves on.
3. Place the drop in the conjunctival sac.
4. Pull the lower lid down against the cheekbone.
Rationale:
To administer eye medications, the nurse should wash hands and put
gloves on. The client is instructed to tilt the head backward, open the
eyes, and look up. The nurse pulls the lower lid down against the
,cheekbone and holds the bottle like a pencil with the tip downward.
Holding the bottle, the nurse gently rests the wrist of the hand on the
client's cheek and squeezes the bottle gently to allow the drop to fall
into the conjunctival sac. The client is instructed to close the eyes
gently and not to squeeze the eyes shut to prevent the loss of
medication.
, 3. The nurse prepares a client for ear irrigation as prescribed
by the health care provider. Which action should the nurse
take when performing the procedure?
1. Warm the irrigating solution to 98.6°F (37.0°C) .
2. Position the client with the affected side up following the
irrigation.
3. Direct a slow, steady stream of irrigation solution toward the
eardrum.
4. Assist the client to turn his or her head so that the ear to
be irrigated is facing upward.: 1. Warm the irrigating solution
to 98.6°F (37.0°C) .
Rationale:
Before ear irrigation, the nurse should inspect the tympanic
membrane to ensure that it is intact. The irrigating solution should be
warmed to 98.6°F (37.0°C) be- cause a solution temperature that is
not close to the client's body temperature will cause ear injury,
nausea, and vertigo. The affected side should be down following the
irrigation to assist in drainage of the fluid. When irrigating, a direct and
slow steady stream of irrigation solution is directed toward the wall of
the canal, not toward the eardrum. The client is positioned sitting,
facing forward with the head in a natural position; if the ear is faced
upward, the nurse would not be able to visualize the canal.
4. The nurse is providing instructions to a client who will be
self-administer- ing eye drops. To minimize systemic
absorption of the eye drops, the nurse should instruct the
client to take which action?
1. Eat before instilling the drops.
2. Swallow several times after instilling the drops.
3. Blink vigorously to encourage tearing after instilling the
drops.
4. Occlude the nasolacrimal duct with a finger after instilling
the drops.: 4. Occlude the nasolacrimal duct with a finger after
instilling the drops.
Rationale:
Applying pressure on the nasolacrimal duct prevents systemic
