A nurse is preparing to administer Timolol eye drops to a patient with glaucoma. Which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize when administering this medication?
Apply the drops directly onto the patient's cornea
Perform punctal occlusion after instilling the drops
Administer the medication immediately after meals
Instruct the patient to blink rapidly after instillation
The Correct Answer is B
A. Apply the drops directly onto the patient's cornea: Eye drops should be instilled into the conjunctival sac, not directly onto the cornea. The cornea is highly sensitive, and direct application can cause discomfort, injury, and decreased patient adherence.
B. Perform punctal occlusion after instilling the drops: Punctal occlusion (gentle pressure on the inner corner of the eye) for 1–2 minutes reduces systemic absorption of the drug via the nasolacrimal duct. This is especially important with beta-blockers like Timolol, which can cause systemic effects such as bradycardia and hypotension.
C. Administer the medication immediately after meals: The timing of Timolol eye drops is not dependent on meals. Food intake has no impact on the efficacy or absorption of ophthalmic medications.
D. Instruct the patient to blink rapidly after instillation: Blinking rapidly can cause the medication to be expelled from the eye, reducing its effectiveness. Patients should be instructed to gently close the eye for a minute or two to enhance absorption.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Request an order for an antiemetic: Although nausea is a symptom of digoxin toxicity, administering an antiemetic may mask a serious underlying problem. It should not be the first intervention without further assessment of the client’s condition.
B. Check the client's vital signs: Digoxin toxicity can cause bradycardia, hypotension, and arrhythmias. The client's symptoms (nausea, weakness, and visual disturbances) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. Assessing vital signs is the priority to determine if there is immediate hemodynamic instability, which would guide further urgent interventions.
C. Suggest that the client rests before eating the meal: Fatigue may be related to digoxin toxicity or underlying heart failure, but suggesting rest delays necessary clinical assessment and does not address the potentially serious symptoms.
D. Request a dietitian consult: While nutrition is important for clients with CHF, the presence of nausea, weakness, and visual disturbances suggests possible digoxin toxicity, which requires immediate clinical evaluation not dietary consultation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Dry Cough: A dry cough is not typically associated with salicylate toxicity. It is more commonly seen in conditions like ACE inhibitor use, respiratory infections, or asthma, and does not help distinguish salicylate overdose.
B. Xanthopsia (Yellow Vision): This visual disturbance is more classically linked to digoxin toxicity, not salicylates. Patients experiencing digoxin toxicity may report seeing halos or yellow-tinted vision, but this is not seen with aspirin overdose.
C. Moon Facies: This refers to a rounded facial appearance typically caused by chronic corticosteroid use and is a hallmark of Cushingoid features, not salicylate toxicity.
D. Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is a classic early symptom of salicylate toxicity. It often precedes more serious effects like metabolic acidosis, hyperventilation, confusion, and even seizures. It serves as an important clinical clue when assessing patients with possible aspirin overdose.
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