What should a nurse do when administering ophthalmic drops to a client?

When administering ophthalmic drops, resting the dominant hand on the client's forehead provides stability and control during the procedure. This technique helps minimize movement and ensures that the drops are instilled accurately into the conjunctival sac, which is crucial for effective medication delivery. By stabilizing the hand, the nurse can better aim the dropper without the risk of unintentional movement that could result in drops missing the intended area.

Additionally, this position enables the nurse to maintain a clear line of sight for accurate drop placement, promoting safety and comfort for the client during the procedure. Combining this technique with the instruction for the client to look up can enhance the effectiveness of the administration, as the drops will fall into the right area of the eye.

It's important to avoid instilling drops directly onto the cornea, as this can cause discomfort and potential injury to the eye. Holding the medication dropper too far above the eye may reduce accuracy, and asking the client to look down could complicate the process of dropping medication into the eye properly. Each of these details underscores the importance of technique and precision in ophthalmic drop administration.