Chapter 6. Non-Parenteral Medication Administration
6.5 Instilling Eye, Ear, and Nose Medications
Instilling Eye Medications
The eye is the most sensitive organ to which medication may be applied (Perry et al., 2018). The cornea is especially sensitive, making the conjunctival sac the appropriate site for instilling eye (ophthalmic) medications. Eye medications might be necessary for conditions such as glaucoma, infection, and following eye surgery. Of note is that eye medication are for the most part administered into the conjunctival sac, which is much less sensitive than the cornea.
Checklist 49 outlines the steps for instilling eye medications.
Checklist 49: Instilling Eye (Ophthalmic) MedicationsDisclaimer: Always review and follow your agency policy regarding this specific skill. |
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Safety considerations:
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Steps |
Additional Information |
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| 1. Perform hand hygiene prior to medication preparation.
Check MAR to guide you to which medications you are preparing. Follow agency policy to ensure MARs are accurate and verified appropriately. |
A MAR that is checked by more than one healthcare professional provides a very reliable record for administering medications. Agencies may vary in relation to MAR verification processes. |
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2 a. As you are removing medication from the dispensing system, perform the SEVEN right three times with each individual medication:
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The right patient: Check that you have the correct patient using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth). The right medication (drug): Check that you have the correct medication and that it is appropriate for the patient in the current context. The right dose: Check that the dose makes sense for the age, size, and condition of the patient. Different dosages may be indicated for different conditions. The right route: Check that the route is appropriate for the patient’s current condition. The right time: Adhere to the prescribed dose and schedule. The right reason: Check that the patient is receiving the medication for the appropriate reason. The right documentation: Always verify any unclear or inaccurate documentation prior to administering medications. |
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2 b. The label on the medication must be checked for name, dose, and route, and compared with the MAR at three different times:
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These checks are done before administering the medication to your patient. If taking a drug to the bedside (e.g., eye drops), do the third check at bedside. | ||
3. Take medications and MARs to the bedside.
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MARs cannot be taken into rooms where additional precautions are necessary.
The patient has the right to be informed. Drops may spill from the eye during administration. |
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| 4. Wear clean, non-sterile gloves. | Using gloves protects the nurse from potential contact with patient body fluids and medications. | ||
| 5. Cleanse the eyelashes and eyelids of any drainage or crusting with a warm washcloth or gauze. Use each area of cleaning surface only once, and move from inne