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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The nurse should intervene when the AP raises all four side-rails on the client's bed. While it is important to ensure the client's safety and minimize the risk of falls, raising all four side-rails can be considered a restraint and may not be the best practice for fall prevention. The use of physical restraints, including all four side-rails, can lead to adverse outcomes such as entrapment, increased agitation, and decreased mobility.
Locking the wheels on the client's bed: This is an appropriate action to prevent the bed from rolling and ensures stability.
Clearing furniture from the path leading to the bathroom: This is a good practice as it creates a clear and safe path for the client to walk without obstacles.
Assisting the client to the bathroom every 2 hours: This is a proactive measure to prevent falls by ensuring regular toileting and minimizing the need for the client to get up and move independently.
It's important to promote mobility and independence for the client while ensuring their safety.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This statement accurately reflects the client's own account of what happened, providing important information about the circumstances leading to the fall. Including the client's statement helps document the client's perspective and can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the event.
"The client fell because the assistive personnel did not place nonskid slippers on the client." This statement assigns blame to the assistive personnel without sufficient evidence. It is important to maintain objectivity and avoid making assumptions or assigning fault without proper investigation or documentation of facts.
"The client does not appear to have any injuries resulting from the fall." While it is important to assess the client for any injuries after a fall, documenting this information may be more appropriate in the client's assessment or nursing notes rather than in the specific documentation about the fall incident itself.
"An incident report has been completed and sent to risk management." While it is important to report falls and complete an incident report for quality improvement and risk management purposes, this information is more relevant to internal documentation and reporting processes rather than inclusion in the medical record for the client's care.
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