A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child who has acute bacterial conjunctivitis of the right eye and has been prescribed bacitracin ophthalmic ointment.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Gently massage the eyelid to facilitate absorption of the medication.
Wipe any excess medication from the inner canthus outward.
Place an occlusive dressing on the affected eye to prevent the spread of infection.
Instruct guardian to apply erythromycin ophthalmic ointment every morning for 14 days.
The Correct Answer is B
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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A.The prescription specifies “four times per day,” which is clear.
B.The medication specified is erythromycin, which is clear
C.The dosage of 500 mg is clearly specified.
D.The route of administration eg. oral, topical is not specified and needs to be clarified to ensure proper administration.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Explanation
C. Position the client on their left side
The symptoms of feeling dizzy, racing heart, and becoming pale while lying on their back are consistent with supine hypotensive syndrome or vena cava syndrome. This condition occurs when the pregnant uterus compresses the vena cava, reducing blood flow back to the heart and causing a drop-in blood pressure.
Positioning the client on their left side helps alleviate the pressure on the vena cava, allowing for improved blood flow and preventing further symptoms. This position optimizes blood circulation and reduces the risk of complications. The nurse should assist the client in turning onto their left side and ensure they are comfortable.
Providing the client with a glass of orange juice (option A) is not recommended as it may be helpful in cases of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, but it is not the most appropriate action in this scenario.
Instructing the client to take a brisk walk (option B) is not recommended since physical exertion can further worsen the symptoms and increase the risk of complications.
Checking the client's temperature (option D) is not necessary as the reported symptoms are not indicative of a fever or infection.
Therefore, the most appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation is to position the client on their left side (option C).
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