Would like to get some feedback on this NCLEX question

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 13, 2009

Actually it's a question from an NCLEX study guide:
A client is recieving an eye drop and an eye ointment to the right eye. The nurse should:
A. Administer the eye drop first, followed by the eye ointment.
B. Administer the eye ointment first, followed by the eye drop.
C. Administer the eye drop, wait 10 minutes, then administer the eye ointment.
D. Administer the eye ointment, wait 10 minutes, then administer the eye drop.
What do you think?

I'd probably go with "C" - what did your NCLEX study book say was the "correct" answer? What does your Zen gut/hara/chakra-feel tell you about the question?

A - almost right, but the ointment might displace the liquid drop out of the eye, negating the effect of the drop.

B - the drop might "wash away" the ointment

C - sounds reasonable - 10 min should give the drop a good bit of time to be absorbed, THEN apply the ointment

D - 10 min probably won't be long enough to absorb the thick, gooey ointment before applying the eye drop

soon2bRN516 · Jun 13, 2009

Yep i agree I would administer the eye drop and wait 10 minutes, then administer the ointment....This ensures that the patient receives both medications fully

SlightlyMental_RN · Jun 13, 2009

I'd go with C, as well.

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Jun 13, 2009

word. C... give 10 minutes to make no adverse systemic side effects.

cant apply the goopy ointment then make sure the liquid is in place correctly... would cause the liquid eye drop to disperse all over the surface of the eye.

k.morris · Jun 30, 2009

DEF would say C.........

hollybear1414 · Jul 2, 2009

The answer is A. I know for a fact because i saw this exact same question in one of my NCLEX books. I thought it was C too but it's A. I think you're only supposed to wait 5 minutes. I dunno, it kind of depends on the situation and the type of drop/ointment. It's a silly question.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2009

The answer is A. I know for a fact because i saw this exact same question in one of my NCLEX books. I thought it was C too but it's A. I think you're only supposed to wait 5 minutes. I dunno, it kind of depends on the situation and the type of drop/ointment. It's a silly question.

I agree.

I had the opportunity while in school to see pre-op treaments for two eye surgeries.

There were DIFFERENT time limits for each of the drops....she said, "This one we have to wait 30 seconds...this one, 3 minutes, this one...we'll come back in 15."

The "joke" was that it took more time to prep than the procedure itself.

So yup...silly question and not accurate.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jul 2, 2009

in NCLEX land i would say C, in the real world, A

nicolegrow · Jul 4, 2009

It is A because you do not wait 10min. It takes 3 to 5 min for a drop to absorb. Yes you want to give the drop first. Answer A doesn't give any wrong information, the other choices do.