Eye Medication or Ointment

Assisting With Eye Medication or Ointment

Material needed:

Eye medication or ointment
Tissue or cotton ball
Small hand mirror
Disposable glove, if needed

Procedure:

Explain what you are going to do
Check care plan and medication sheet
Wash your hands
Obtain material listed above
Help client to wash hands
Check label on prescription container for:

A. Right drug
Right client
Right dose
Right route
Right time

Loosen lid on container, if client is unable to do so
Place container within client reach or hand to him if needed.
Hold mirror so client can see to administer eye medication
Assist client with:

Eye medication
guide client's hand to grasp lid
observe that client looks up and releases drops into lower lid
observe that client closes eye to distribute medication
make sure that dropper does not touch client's eye

Ointment
guide client's hand to grasp lower lid
observe that client looks up and squeezes a small ribbon of ointment into the lower lid from inner corner of eye to outer corner of eye
observe that client closes eye to allow medication to melt and be distributed
make sure that tip of tube does not touch eye surface

Reseal container
Have client record medication taken. The caregiver can record if the client is unable to
Store medication in proper location
Wash your hands
Record what you have done. Report any abnormal conditions to the nurse or family member