A nurse is assisting with a community health presentation about home safety precautions when there is an outdoor chemical disaster nearby. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Explanation

B. Wipe any excess medication from the inner canthus outward

Bacitracin ophthalmic ointment is an antibiotic medication commonly used to treat bacterial eye infections such as conjunctivitis.

Wiping any excess medication from the inner canthus outward, is important to prevent the accumulation of excessive ointment, which can cause discomfort and affect vision. Using a clean, sterile cotton ball or tissue, the nurse should gently wipe any excess ointment from the inner corner of the eye (inner canthus) and then move outward to remove the excess ointment.

Gently massaging the eyelid to facilitate absorption of the medication in (option A) is not recommended. It can potentially cause discomfort or further irritation to the affected eye, especially in a young child. The ointment will naturally spread across the eye as the child blinks.

Placing an occlusive dressing on the affected eye in (option C) is not necessary for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. It may impede proper air circulation and potentially worsen the infection. It is important to promote hygiene and prevent the spread of infection by encouraging proper handwashing and avoiding touching or rubbing the affected eye.

Instructing the guardian to apply erythromycin ophthalmic ointment every morning for 14 days in (option D) is not appropriate in this case. Erythromycin is an alternative antibiotic commonly used for conjunctivitis, but since the child has been prescribed bacitracin ophthalmic ointment, the appropriate course of treatment would be to follow the prescribed medication as directed by the healthcare provider.

During an external chemical disaster, it is crucial to minimize the exposure of clients to the hazardous substance. Moving clients to a room above ground level with few windows can help reduce the risk of exposure to the chemical and its fumes. This is because many hazardous chemicals tend to be denser than air and may settle closer to the ground. Choosing a room above ground level and with fewer windows can provide a safer environment.

Turning on fans in the facility to circulate air can actually worsen the situation by spreading the chemical and its fumes throughout the facility, potentially exposing more individuals.

Covering the electrical outlets with wet towels is not directly related to preparing for an external chemical disaster. It may be more relevant during a fire emergency to prevent the spread of flames, but not for chemical exposure.

Opening the fireplace dampers in the day room can allow the entry of outside air and potentially introduce more of the hazardous substance into the facility.