When administering ophthalmic drops to a client with glaucoma, which action should the nurse perform after instilling the medication?

When administering ophthalmic drops to a client with glaucoma, which action should the nurse perform after instilling the medication?

• A. Place the eye drop directly onto the cornea
• B. Instruct the client to blink several times after instilling the medication
• C. Apply pressure to the puncta after instilling the medication
• D. Ask the client to look straight ahead during instillation of the medication

Answer: (C)

Preventing systemic absorption of ophthalmic glaucoma medication by occluding the puncta after instillation. After placing the drop into the conjunctival sac, gently press on the inner corner of the eye where the tear ducts (puncta) open for about 1–2 minutes. This simple pressure blocks drainage into the nasal mucosa, keeping more of the drug in the eye and reducing systemic side effects while enhancing local effectiveness. Dropping directly onto the cornea is not advised because the medication belongs in the conjunctival sac and aiming for the cornea can cause irritation and waste. Blinking after instillation can facilitate loss of the drop and does not minimize systemic absorption. Asking the client to look straight ahead during instillation isn’t the key step to maximize local effect; the critical action is punctal compression to limit drainage.

Preventing systemic absorption of ophthalmic glaucoma medication by occluding the puncta after instillation. After placing the drop into the conjunctival sac, gently press on the inner corner of the eye where the tear ducts (puncta) open for about 1–2 minutes. This simple pressure blocks drainage into the nasal mucosa, keeping more of the drug in the eye and reducing systemic side effects while enhancing local effectiveness.

Dropping directly onto the cornea is not advised because the medication belongs in the conjunctival sac and aiming for the cornea can cause irritation and waste. Blinking after instillation can facilitate loss of the drop and does not minimize systemic absorption. Asking the client to look straight ahead during instillation isn’t the key step to maximize local effect; the critical action is punctal compression to limit drainage.