What are the important points that you would review with a patient when teaching how to instill ophthalmic drops and when teaching how to instill ointment? Providing patients and care givers with information regarding administration of both ophthalmic drops and ointment it imperative to ensuring the appropriate dose of medication is received, proper hygiene is utilized and the medication is administered safely to prevent injury. First, individuals must be informed to follow the administration of either form of medication as prescribed and to administer the appropriate number of drops or size of ribbon of the ointment and ensure the patient is knowledgeable of the medication (Shaw, 2016). Next, instructing the individual in regards to appropriate …show more content…
In addition, to appropriate hand hygiene it is essential for the individual or care provider to assess the eye prior to administration of a medication for signs of allergic reaction related to excessive swelling or redness to the sclera or conjunctiva and to ensure the outer eyelid is clean and free of drainage or crust (Shaw, 2016). The individual must understand that is there is drainage present the outer eyelid should be cleaned with a clean cloth wiping from the inner eyelid out and to change the side of the cloth between wiping (Shaw, 2016). Once the area is clean and prepared for the administration of the medication the individual must sit or lay with their head leaning backwards and the lower lid pulled down to create a fornix and expose the conjunctival sac to create a pocket for the medication to be administered in or the outer lid to be exposed for the placement of the ointment along the lower lid (Shaw, 2016). It is essential one is knowledgeable of the importance to not instill drops or ointment directly onto the sclera or cornea as injury may occur resulting in changes in vision (Shaw, 2016). When administering both types of medications, ensuring the tips of either the dropper