Saunders NCLEX RN - Eyes & Ears Medication Pharmacology

A miotic medication has been prescribed for the client with glaucoma and the client asks the nurse about the purpose of the medication. Which response should the nurse provide to the client? 1. "The medication will help dilate the eye to prevent pressure from occurring." 2. "The medication will relax the muscles of the eyes and prevent blurred vision." 3. "The medication causes the pupil to constrict and will lower the pressure in the eye." 4. "The medication will help block the responses that are sent to the muscles in the eye."

3. "The medication causes the pupil to constrict and will lower the pressure in the eye."

The nursing student is assigned to care for a client with glaucoma for whom pilocarpine hydrochloride eye drops have been prescribed. The nursing instructor asks the student to describe the action of the eye medication. Which statement by the student indicates an understanding of the purpose of this medication? 1. "The medication prevents blurred vision by relaxing the muscles of the eyes." 2. "The medication dilates the eye to prevent increased pressure from occurring." 3. "The medication increases the blood flow to the retina and also will lower the pressure in the eye." 4. "The medication blocks responses that are sent to the brain that direct the actions of the muscles in the eye."

3. "The medication increases the blood flow to the retina and also will lower the pressure in the eye."

A client with glaucoma is receiving acetazolamide. The nurse educator provides education to a group of nurses about the indications for and effect of this medication. Which statement by one of the nurses indicates that the teaching has been effective? 1. "This works to prevent hypertension." 2. "This works to prevent hyperthermia." 3. "This works to decrease intraocular pressure." 4. "This works to maintain an adequate blood pressure for cerebral perfusion."

3. "This works to decrease intraocular pressure."

A client was just admitted to the hospital to rule out a gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. The client has brought several bottles of medications prescribed by different specialists. During the admission assessment, the client states, "Lately, I have been hearing some roaring sounds in my ears, especially when I am alone." Which medication would the nurse identify as the cause of the client's complaint? 1. Doxycycline 2. Atropine sulfate 3. Acetylsalicylic acid 4. Diltiazem hydrochloride

3. Acetylsalicylic acid

In preparation for cataract surgery, the nurse is to administer cyclopentolate eye drops at 0900 for surgery that is scheduled for 0915. What initial action should the nurse take in relation to the characteristics of the medication action? 1. Provide lubrication to the operative eye prior to giving the eye drops. 2. Call the surgeon, as this medication will further constrict the operative pupil. 3. Consult the surgeon, as there is not sufficient time for the dilative effects to occur. 4. Give the medication as prescribed; the surgeon needs optimal constriction of the pupil.

3. Consult the surgeon, as there is not sufficient time for the dilative effects to occur.

Betaxolol hydrochloride eye drops have been prescribed for a client with glaucoma. Which nursing action is most appropriate related to monitoring for side and adverse effects of this medication? 1. Assessing for edema 2. Monitoring temperature 3. Monitoring blood pressure 4. Assessing blood glucose level

3. Monitoring blood pressure

Ear drops are prescribed for an infant with otitis media. Which is the most appropriate method to administer ear drops to an infant? 1. Pull up and back on the pinna, and direct the solution onto the eardrum. 2. Pull down and back on the pinna, and direct the solution onto the eardrum. 3. Pull down and back on the pinna, and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal. 4. Pull up and back on the pinna, and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal.

3. Pull down and back on the pinna, and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal.

Which medication, if prescribed for the client with glaucoma, should the nurse question? 1. Betaxolol 2. Pilocarpine 3. Erythromycin 4. Atropine sulfate

4. Atropine sulfate

A client has been prescribed betaxolol eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma. The ambulatory care nurse determines that the client understands proper medication use if the client states the need to return to the office for monitoring of what item(s)? 1. Hearing acuity 2. Blood glucose level 3. Presence of calf pain 4. Blood pressure and apical pulse

4. Blood pressure and apical pulse

The nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client who has a history of glaucoma and uses latanoprost eye drops. Which assessment finding would indicate a side/adverse effect of these eye drops? 1. Irregular pulse 2. Periorbital edema 3. Elevated blood pressure 4. Brown pigmentation of the iris

4. Brown pigmentation of the iris

The nurse teaching a mother how to administer ear drops to an infant tells the mother to pull the child's ear in which direction? 1. Up and back and direct the solution onto the eardrum 2. Down and forward and direct the solution onto the eardrum 3. Up and forward and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal 4. Down and back and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal

4. Down and back and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal

When teaching a client with glaucoma about the effects of a miotic medication, the nurse should tell the client that the medication will produce which effect? 1. Reshape the lens to eliminate blurred vision 2. Dilate the pupil to reduce intraocular pressure 3. Interrupt the drainage of aqueous humor from the eye 4. Lower intraocular pressure and improve blood flow to the retina

4. Lower intraocular pressure and improve blood flow to the retina

A client who is scheduled for cataract surgery requires preoperative instillation of cyclopentolate eye drops as prescribed. The client asks the nurse why this medication is needed, and the nurse provides education. Which statement by the client indicates that teaching has been effective? 1. "The medication dilates the pupil of the operative eye." 2. "The medication constricts the pupil of the operative eye." 3. "The medication is needed for the initiation of miosis in the operative eye." 4. "The medication provides the necessary lubrication to the nonoperative eye."

1. "The medication dilates the pupil of the operative eye."

A client is prescribed an eye drop and an eye ointment for the right eye. How should the nurse best administer the medications? 1. Administer the eye drop first, followed by the eye ointment. 2. Administer the eye ointment first, followed by the eye drop. 3. Administer the eye drop, wait 15 minutes, and administer the eye ointment. 4. Administer the eye ointment, wait 15 minutes, and administer the eye drop.

1. Administer the eye drop first, followed by the eye ointment.

A client being discharged to home with a prescription for eye drops to be given in the left eye has received instructions regarding self-administration of the drops. The nurse determines that the client needs further instruction if, on return demonstration, the client takes which action? 1. Lies supine, pulls up on the upper lid, and puts the drop in the upper lid 2. Lies supine, pulls down on the lower lid, and puts the drop in the lower lid 3. Tilts the head back, pulls down on the lower lid, and puts the drop in the lower lid 4. Lies with head to the right, puts the drop in the inner canthus, and slowly turns to the left while blinking

1. Lies supine, pulls up on the upper lid, and puts the drop in the upper lid

Betaxolol eye drops have been prescribed for a client with glaucoma. The home health nurse preparing to visit the client develops a plan of care that includes monitoring for the side/adverse effects of this medication by taking which assessment action? 1. Monitoring body weight 2. Assessing the glucose level 3. Assessing peripheral pulses 4. Monitoring body temperature

1. Monitoring body weight

Betaxolol eye drops have been prescribed for a client with glaucoma. The nurse monitoring this client for side/adverse effects of the medication would place highest priority on which assessment? 1. Pulse rate 2. Blood glucose 3. Respiratory rate 4. Oxygen saturation

1. Pulse rate

The nurse prepares a client for ear irrigation as prescribed by the health care provider. Which action should the nurse take when performing the procedure? 1. Warm the irrigating solution to 98.6°F (37.0°C) . 2. Position the client with the affected side up following the irrigation. 3. Direct a slow, steady stream of irrigation solution toward the eardrum. 4. Assist the client to turn his or her head so that the ear to be irrigated is facing upward.

1. Warm the irrigating solution to 98.6°F (37.0°C) .

The nurse is preparing to administer eye drops. Which interventions should the nurse take to administer the drops? Select all that apply. 1. Wash hands. 2. Put gloves on. 3. Place the drop in the conjunctival sac. 4. Pull the lower lid down against the cheekbone. 5. Instruct the client to squeeze the eyes shut after instilling the eye drop. 6. Instruct the client to tilt the head forward, open the eyes, and look down.

1. Wash hands. 2. Put gloves on. 3. Place the drop in the conjunctival sac. 4. Pull the lower lid down against the cheekbone.

A client with glaucoma is given a prescription for a pilocarpine ocular system. The nurse plans to provide which instruction to the client on how to use the medication? 1. Apply ½ inch into the eye at bedtime. 2. Apply one drop of the solution four times a day. 3. Remove and replace the ocular system every 48 hours. 4. Check the eye each morning to make sure that the system is in place.

4. Check the eye each morning to make sure that the system is in place.

The nurse is reviewing the instillation technique for both eye ointment and eye drops with the parent of a pediatric client diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis. Which statement made by the parent would indicate that learning has taken place? 1. "I will be careful not to touch the eye or eyelid during administration." 2. "I will place my child on the left side to administer drops in the right eye." 3. "I will administer the eye ointment and then wait 5 minutes and administer the eye drops." 4. "I will have my child blink after the instillation to encourage thorough distribution of the eye drops."

1. "I will be careful not to touch the eye or eyelid during administration."

The nurse would question the health care provider if which medication were prescribed for a client with glaucoma? 1. Carbachol 2. Atropine sulfate 3. Pilocarpine nitrate 4. Pilocarpine hydrochloride

2. Atropine sulfate

Pilocarpine hydrochloride is prescribed for a client with glaucoma. The nurse checks the medication supply room to ensure that atropine sulfate is available for administration in the event that systemic toxicity occurs from the use of pilocarpine hydrochloride. The nurse also monitors for which sign of systemic toxicity? 1. Anorexia 2. Bradycardia 3. Tachycardia 4. Hypertension

2. Bradycardia

A client with chronic glaucoma is being started on medication therapy with acetazolamide. The nurse teaches the client that which can occur early with the use of this medication? 1. Fatigue 2. Diuresis 3. Headache 4. Loss of libido

2. Diuresis

The nurse working in a long-term care facility notes that several clients are taking pilocarpine hydrochloride eye drops. The nurse ensures that which medication is available on the nursing unit for use if a client should develop systemic toxicity from pilocarpine hydrochloride? 1. Disulfiram 2. Cyclopentolate 3. Atropine sulfate 4. Naloxone hydrochloride

3. Atropine sulfate

In preparation for cataract surgery, the nurse is to administer prescribed eye drops. The nurse reviews the health care provider's prescriptions, expecting which type of eye drops to be prescribed? 1. A miotic agent 2. A thiazide diuretic 3. An osmotic diuretic 4. A mydriatic medication

4. A mydriatic medication

The home care nurse is reviewing the record of a client newly diagnosed with glaucoma who is scheduled for a home visit. The nurse notes that the health care provider (HCP) has prescribed atropine sulfate and pilocarpine hydrochloride eye drops. The nurse should contact the HCP before the home visit for which reason? 1. Clarify the prescription for the atropine sulfate. 2. Clarify the prescription for the pilocarpine hydrochloride. 3. Determine the date of the scheduled follow-up HCP visit. 4. Determine the extent of the intraocular pressure caused by the glaucoma.

1. Clarify the prescription for the atropine sulfate.

The preoperative medication sheet identifies that cyclopentolate is prescribed for a client before cataract surgery. The client asks the nurse what the medication is for, and the nurse provides education. Which statement by the client indicates that teaching has been effective? 1. "It lubricates the eye." 2. "It makes my pupils smaller." 3. "It paralyzes the muscles in my eye." 4. "It causes me vessels to become smaller."

3. "It paralyzes the muscles in my eye."

The nurse is providing instructions to a client who will be self-administering eye drops. To minimize systemic absorption of the eye drops, the nurse should instruct the client to take which action? 1. Eat before instilling the drops. 2. Swallow several times after instilling the drops. 3. Blink vigorously to encourage tearing after instilling the drops. 4. Occlude the nasolacrimal duct with a finger after instilling the drops.

4. Occlude the nasolacrimal duct with a finger after instilling the drops.

The nurse is teaching a mother to instill drops in her infant's ear. The nurse explains that to give the ear drops correctly, the mother needs to take which action? 1. Pull up and back on the earlobe and direct the solution toward the eardrum. 2. Pull down and back on the auricle and direct the solution toward the eardrum. 3. Pull up and back on the auricle and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal. 4. Pull down and back on the earlobe and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal.

4. Pull down and back on the earlobe and direct the solution toward the wall of the canal.