A nurse is collecting data about a client's cranial nerves. Which of the following methods should the nurse use to identify a problem with cranial nerve II?

a) "Use a sterile glove and applicator to apply the antibiotic ointment." Using sterile equipment is not necessary for the application of ophthalmic ointment. The key is proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection.
b) "Keep your eye open for 30 sec after instilling the ointment." It is unnecessary to keep the eye open for 30 seconds after applying the ointment. It should be gently closed to help distribute the medication.
c) "Always wipe from the outer to the inner canthus when wiping away secretions." This is incorrect because wiping from the inner to the outer canthus is recommended to prevent contamination of the clean parts of the eye.
d) "Apply the ointment in a thin line into the conjunctival sac." This is the correct method for applying the ointment, ensuring that the medication reaches the affected area.

a) Decreasing viscosity of the tears and allowing fluid to drain away from the eye: This is incorrect. Osmotic agents do not act by affecting the viscosity of tears or enhancing drainage.
b) Increasing plasma osmolarity and drawing extracellular fluid into the blood: Osmotic agents, like mannitol, work by increasing plasma osmolarity, which draws excess fluid from the eye into the bloodstream, thereby lowering intraocular pressure.
c) Blocking production of aqueous humor: This is incorrect. Blocking production of aqueous humor is the mechanism of action of medications like beta-blockers (e.g., timolol), not osmotic agents.
d) Promoting outflow of the aqueous humor into the tear ducts: This is incorrect. Promoting outflow of aqueous humor is the mechanism of action for other medications, such as prostaglandin analogs, not osmotic agents.