A 35-year-old White man with a history of diabetes is scheduled for cataract surgery. He receives cyclopentolate hydrochloride (Cyclogyl) eye drops. The nurse practitioner knows the patient understands how to use the medication when he says:

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because cyclopentolate is a mydriatic and cycloplegic agent; it does the opposite of constriction. Constricting the pupils and contracting the ciliary muscles is the effect of a miotic, not cyclopentolate. Choice B reason: Cyclopentolate is not a topical anesthetic; corneal anesthesia is typically achieved with proparacaine or tetracaine. Choice C reason: Cyclopentolate does not add moisture to the eyes; artificial tears are used for lubrication. Choice D reason: This is correct. Cyclopentolate is a parasympatholytic agent that dilates the pupil (mydriasis) and paralyzes the ciliary muscle (cycloplegia), which is necessary for ophthalmologic examination and cataract surgery preparation.