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. "You should abruptly stop taking this medication if you experience nausea.": Abrupt discontinuation of Carbidopa/Levodopa can lead to serious complications such as neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome. Nausea is a common early side effect and should be reported, not used as a reason to stop the medication suddenly.
B. "This medication may cause involuntary movements as a side effect.": Long-term use of Carbidopa/Levodopa can lead to dyskinesias, which are involuntary, erratic movements. These occur due to fluctuating dopamine levels and are a common motor complication in advanced Parkinson's disease.
C. "You should take this medication with a high-protein meal to enhance absorption.": High-protein meals can actually interfere with Levodopa absorption because dietary amino acids compete with the drug for transport across the blood-brain barrier. Protein intake should be evenly distributed throughout the day.
D. "This medication will improve your memory and cognitive function.": Carbidopa/Levodopa is primarily used to treat motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease by replenishing dopamine. It has minimal impact on cognitive symptoms and is not indicated for memory enhancement.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "I should rinse my mouth with water and swallow it after using the inhaler.": Swallowing the rinse water may still allow corticosteroid particles to enter the systemic circulation through the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the risk of systemic effects and oral thrush.
B. "I will rinse my mouth only if I feel irritation after using the inhaler.": Rinsing should be done routinely after each use, regardless of the presence of irritation. Skipping this step can increase the risk of developing oral candidiasis (thrush) due to residual corticosteroid in the mouth.
C. "I will rinse my mouth with water and spit it out after using the inhaler.": Rinsing and spitting helps remove residual corticosteroid from the oropharynx, reducing the risk of local side effects like oral thrush and hoarseness.
D. "There is no need to rinse my mouth after using an inhaled corticosteroid.": This indicates a lack of understanding. Failure to rinse the mouth increases the risk of fungal infections and other local adverse effects due to prolonged exposure to the medication.
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