A client admitted with an acute exacerbation of Ménière's disease asks the student nurse why he was prescribed diphenhydramine. Which response by the student nurse requires correction by the primary nurse?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because it is necessary to remove contact lenses before administering medications. Contact lenses can absorb or interfere with the absorption of eye drops and cause irritation or infection. The nurse should instruct the client to remove contact lenses before applying eye drops and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because administering the medications by touching the tip of the dropper to the sclera of the eye can cause contamination or injury. The sclera is the white part of the eye that covers most of the eyeball. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid touching the tip of the dropper to any part of the eye or eyelid and hold it about 1 cm above the lower eyelid.
Choice C reason: This is correct because administering the medications 5 min apart can prevent dilution or washout of one medication by another. Timolol and pilocarpine are two different types of eye drops that are used to treat open-angle glaucoma, which is a condition that causes increased pressure inside the eye and damage to the optic nerve. Timolol is a beta-blocker that reduces the production of fluid in the eye, and pilocarpine is a cholinergic agent that increases the drainage of fluid from the eye. The nurse should instruct the client to apply one drop of each medication in the affected eye(s) and wait at least 5 minutes between each medication.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because holding pressure on the conjunctival sac for 2 min following the application of eye drops can reduce systemic absorption and side effects of eye drops. The conjunctival sac is the space between the lower eyelid and the eyeball. The nurse should instruct the client to gently close their eyes after applying eye drops and press their index finger against the inner corner of their eye for 2 minutes. This can block the tear duct that drains fluid from the eye to the nose and prevent it from entering the bloodstream.

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because a referral to a sleep study program is not the most appropriate plan of care for a blind client who has difficulty with sleep. A sleep study program is used to diagnose and treat sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or restless legs syndrome.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because assisting the client to see if a night shift job is available is not a helpful plan of care for a blind client who has difficulty with sleep. A night shift job can disrupt the circadian rhythm and worsen the sleep quality and quantity of the client.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because institution of opioids and sedatives is not a safe plan of care for a blind client who has difficulty with sleep. Opioids and sedatives can cause addiction, dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. They can also impair the respiratory and cognitive functions of the client.

Choice D Reason: This is the correct choice because education about non-24 disorder is an essential plan of care for a blind client who has difficulty with sleep. Non-24 disorder is a condition where the internal clock of the body does not synchronize with the 24-hour day-night cycle. It can cause irregular sleep patterns, daytime fatigue, and mood disturbances. It is more common in blind people who lack light perception. The nurse should educate the client about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of non-24 disorder.