Author Question: Which nursing activity is appropriate for the registered nurse (RN) working in the eye clinic to ... (Read 43 times)

waynest · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Which nursing activity is appropriate for the registered nurse (RN) working in the eye clinic to delegate to experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

a. Instilling antiviral drops for a patient with a corneal ulcer
b. Application of a warm compress to a patient's hordeolum
c. Instruction about hand washing for a patient with herpes keratitis
d. Looking for eye irritation in a patient with possible conjunctivitis

Question 2

Which prescribed medication should the nurse give first to a patient who has just been admitted to a hospital with acute angle-closure glaucoma?

a. Morphine sulfate 4 mg IV
b. Mannitol (Osmitrol) 100 mg IV
c. Betaxolol (Betoptic) 1 drop in each eye
d. Acetazolamide (Diamox) 250 mg orally

emsimon14 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Application of cold and warm packs is included in UAP education and the ability to accomplish this safely would be expected for UAP working in an eye clinic. Medication administration, patient teaching, and assessment are high-level skills appropriate for the education and legal practice level of the RN.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The most immediate concern for the patient is to lower intraocular pressure, which will occur most rapidly with IV administration of a hyperosmolar diuretic such as mannitol. The other medications are also appropriate for a patient with glaucoma but would not be the first medication administered.