A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child who has acute bacterial conjunctivitis of the right eye and has been prescribed bacitracin ophthalmic ointment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Wipe any excess medication from the inner canthus outward: This is the correct approach. When administering ophthalmic ointment, the nurse should wipe away any excess from the inner canthus to the outer canthus to prevent contamination of the unaffected eye and to avoid spreading the infection. B. Instruct guardian to apply erythromycin ophthalmic ointment every morning for 14 days.: This is incorrect because the child has been prescribed bacitracin ophthalmic ointment, not erythromycin. The nurse should instruct the guardian to use the prescribed medication as directed. C. Gently massage the eyelid to facilitate absorption of the medication.: Massaging the eyelid is unnecessary and could lead to irritation or injury. The medication should be allowed to be absorbed naturally without additional manipulation. D. Place an occlusive dressing on the affected eye to prevent the spread of infection.: An occlusive dressing is not recommended as it may cause increased irritation or pressure on the eye. The best practice is to maintain proper hygiene and follow the prescribed medication regimen.