4 Eye Drops, Ear Drops & Medication Errors

Eye Drop Administration Steps

Wear gloves, give tissue, clean eyelids/lashes, tilt head back, don't touch eye with bottle tip, invert bottle, have patient look up, pull down lower conjunctival sac, administer drops in lower sac, release lid, close eye gently, apply pressure over inner canthus, don't rub eye, wipe excess

Ear Drop Positioning - Infant &

Down and back

Ear Drop Positioning - Child >3 years

Straight back

Ear Drop Positioning - Adult

Up and back

Ear Drop Administration Steps

Don gloves, clean external ear, patient lays on unaffected side, don't touch tip to ear, position appropriately, administer, press tragus gently, remain lying flat 5 minutes

Types of Medication Errors

Inappropriate prescribing, extra/omitted/wrong doses, wrong patient, wrong route or rate, failure to give within prescribed time, incorrect preparation, improper technique, giving deteriorated drug

Medication Error Response - Check

Check patient's condition immediately; observe for adverse effects

Medication Error Response - Notify

Notify nurse manager and primary care provider

Medication Error Response - Complete

Complete error reporting form per facility policy (special event, unusual occurrence report)

Patient Medication Teaching Points

Review administration techniques, take as prescribed for full duration, don't alter dosages without consulting physician, don't share medications