Question

The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old client admitted with the diagnosis of conjunctivitis. Before administering eyedrops, the nurse should recognize that it is essential to consider which of the following? A. The eye should be cleansed with warm water, removing any exudate, before instilling the eyedrops. B. The child should be allowed to instill his own eyedrops. C. The mother should be allowed to instill the eyedrops. D. If the eye is clear of any redness or edema, the eyedrops should be held.

Short answer

Answer: The eye should be cleansed with warm water, removing any exudate, before instilling the eyedrops.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the scenario

First, make sure you understand the scenario: a nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child diagnosed with conjunctivitis. The primary task is to know the essential considerations to be taken before administering eyedrops to the child.

Evaluate each option

Analyze each given option and determine if it's a relevant and appropriate action to be taken: A. The eye should be cleansed with warm water, removing any exudate, before instilling the eyedrops. B. The child should be allowed to instill his own eyedrops. C. The mother should be allowed to instill the eyedrops. D. If the eye is clear of any redness or edema, the eyedrops should be held.

Explain the rationale for choosing the correct option

The correct answer is A. The eye should be cleansed with warm water, removing any exudate before instilling the eye drops. This step is essential because it ensures that the eye is clean and free from any exudate that may interfere with the action of the eye drops. Furthermore, ensuring the eye area is clean reduces the risk of worsening the infection or causing further irritation to the child's eye.

Explain why other options are not appropriate

B. Allowing the child to instill their own eye drops may not be safe for a 6-year-old, as they may have difficulty in accurately administering the drops, leading to ineffective treatment or causing further irritation. C. Allowing the mother to instill the eyedrops is not a bad option but isn't the main concern. The priority is to ensure the eye is properly cleaned before administering the drops, regardless of who instills the drops. D. Withholding the eyedrops due to the absence of redness or edema is not the appropriate action to take. The treatment should be administered as prescribed by the doctor, even if the symptoms seem to have resolved. This ensures the infection is effectively treated and prevents the risk of a relapse.

Key concepts

Pediatric Nursing

Pediatric nursing focuses on providing healthcare to children, from infancy through adolescence. Nurses in this field must understand the unique needs of children, including their physical, emotional, and developmental differences.

In a scenario like caring for a child with conjunctivitis, it's crucial for pediatric nurses to adopt a compassionate and gentle approach. Children might be scared or nervous about medical procedures, so it's important to explain each step in simple terms that they can understand.

• Effective communication is key. Engage with the child and reassure them to minimize anxiety.
• Understand the child's developmental stage to tailor education and intervention methods appropriately.
• Involve parents in the care process, providing them guidance on how to support their child.

By providing age-appropriate care and communication, pediatric nurses support both the child's and family's well-being and comfort.

Medication Administration

Administering medication to children requires precision and care, especially with conditions like conjunctivitis. Pediatric nurses must follow strict protocols to ensure that children receive the correct dosage and treatment safely.

Before administering eyedrops to a child, a nurse should:

• Always cleanse the child's eyes with warm water to remove any exudate. This step helps the medication work effectively.
• Confirm the medication and dosage prescribed to prevent errors.
• Instruct on proper technique to ensure accuracy, sometimes involving the child's caregivers for assistance.

Preparation and attentiveness in medication administration reduce the risk of side effects and ensure the child receives the full benefit of the treatment.

Patient Care Protocols

Effective patient care protocols are essential in providing structured and safe healthcare, especially in pediatric settings. For conditions such as conjunctivitis, standardized procedures guide nurses through the treatment process systematically.

Key elements of effective patient care protocols include:

• Assessment: Regular monitoring of the child's symptoms to evaluate the treatment's effectiveness.
• Education: Teaching the child and their caregivers about the condition, how to manage it, and the importance of completing the entire course of treatment.
• Documentation: Accurate recording of administered medications, observed symptoms, and any changes or side effects.

Following well-defined protocols ensures consistent, quality care and contributes to positive treatment outcomes for young patients.