Administration Mastery
This is how you position the ear to instill drops in an adult.
What is pull the ear up and back?
Timolol belongs to this drug class.
What is beta blocker?
Miosis means this change in the pupil.
What is constriction?
A scratched eye while on latanoprost requires this action.
What is hold medication and notify the provider?
This condition is caused by increased intraocular pressure.
What is glaucoma?
A patient uses extra glaucoma drops “for better results” and now feels dizzy with a low pulse.
What is systemic absorption causing cardiovascular effects?
This action should NEVER be done when ear drainage is present.
What is instilling drops or irrigating the ear?
Latanoprost and travoprost belong to this class.
What is prostaglandin agonists?
A unique side effect of prostaglandin agonists.
What is eyelash growth and iris darkening?
Why eye drops can affect the whole body.
What is systemic absorption through circulation?
This structure drains tears into systemic circulation.
What is punctum?
A patient with asthma is prescribed timolol and reports wheezing.
What is beta blocker-induced bronchoconstriction requiring reassessment?
This technique reduces systemic absorption of eye drops.
What is applying pressure to the inner canthus (punctum)?
This drug class can reduce aqueous humor production by over 60%.
What is carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide)?
This vision-related side effect requires avoiding night driving.
What is decreased night vision (cholinergic agonists)?
The FIRST step when a patient on timolol reports shortness of breath.
What is assess respiratory status (breath sounds, O2 sat)?
Why excessive glaucoma meds are dangerous.
What is can dangerously lower intraocular pressure?
A patient on acetazolamide reports a severe rash and has a sulfa allergy history.
What is stop medication and notify provider immediately?
The MOST important teaching point when administering eye drops.
What is use only the prescribed number of drops?
These drugs are used short-term due to systemic side effects.
What are adrenergic agonists?
These vital sign changes can occur with adrenergic agonists.
What are bradycardia/tachycardia and decreased BP?
Why patients misuse eye drops frequently.
What is they don’t consider them “real medications”?
The priority concern with timolol in a patient with asthma.
What is bronchoconstriction?
A patient using multiple glaucoma drops presents with SOB, bradycardia, and fatigue.
What is systemic toxicity from beta blocker eye drops requiring immediate assessment and provider notification?
Why giving extra eye drops is dangerous.
What is can cause systemic effects and dangerously low IOP?
This drug class can worsen asthma due to bronchoconstriction.
What are beta blockers?
This allergy is a contraindication for acetazolamide.
What is sulfa allergy?
The most important assessment when beta blocker eye drops are causing symptoms.
What is cardiac and respiratory assessment?
The most serious systemic complication of beta blocker eye drops.
What is worsening heart failure or respiratory distress?
A patient on acetazolamide reports a severe rash and has a sulfa allergy history.
What is stop medication and notify provider immediately?