HHC Health & Home Care Clinical Policy And

HHC HEALTH & HOME CARE SECTION: 1-3
Eye drop Instillation __RN
PURPOSE: 6. Recheck physician order for medication, dosage,
To instill drops into eye for cleansing/antiseptic
purposes, to relieve pressure, treat diseases and
infections, and lubricate.
CONSIDERATIONS:
1. Medicated eye drops require a physician's order.
Clarify all physicians’ orders if unapproved
abbreviations are used.
and site of administration (o.s. = left eye; o.d. = right
eye; o.u. = both eyes). Clarify orders if unapproved
abbreviations are used.
7. Using thumb or index finger, gently pull down the
lower lid so that conjunctival sac is exposed. Avoid
putting pressure on the eyeball.
8. Instruct patient to tilt head back and look up and
away, to prevent drop from falling directly onto
cornea. Instill eyedrop(s).
2. Only eye drops labeled for ophthalmic use are to be
used. 9. Let drop fall into conjunctival sac. Do not let
3. The medication should be checked for any
discoloration cloudiness, precipitation and for the
expiration date.
4. Care should be taken so that medication is not
instilled into tear duct. The body will absorb the
medication if this occurs.
5. Use at least two (2) patient identifiers prior to
administering medications.
dropper touch eye. Release lower lid and instruct
patient to close eye gently without squeezing lid
shut.
10. When administering drugs that cause systemic
effects: gently press one thumb on the inner
canthus for 1 to 2 minutes while the patient closes
his/her eye. (This helps prevent medication from
flowing into the tear duct.) Patient may blot excess
fluid with tissue. A separate tissue should be used
for second eye, if necessary.
EQUIPMENT:
Eyedrop medication
11. Discard soiled supplies in appropriate container.
Cotton, tissue or gauze squares
AFTER CARE:
Personal protective equipment as indicated
1. Document in patient's record:
a. Medication, dosage, and site.
PROCEDURE:
1. Adhere to Universal Precautions.
b.
c.
d.
Appearance of eye.
Date and Time medication instilled.
Instructions given to patient including self-
2. Verify medication, dosage, frequency, and site to
administration, purpose and possible side
which it is to be instilled as ordered by physician.
effects of medication.
3. Explain procedure to patient. 2. Teach possible side effects of medication to patient.
4. Instruct patient to tilt head back or lie down. 3. Instruct patient/caregiver in eye drop instillation
5. If there is any exudate in or around eye, clean eye
before instilling eye drops. Clean eye, from the
inner corner out, with gauze sponge soaked in tepid
water. Use fresh gauze sponge pad for each stroke.
as ordered.
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