A nurse is preparing to administer Timolol eye drops to a patient with glaucoma. Which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize when administering this medication?

A. Apply the drops directly onto the patient's cornea: Eye drops should be instilled into the conjunctival sac, not directly onto the cornea. The cornea is highly sensitive, and direct application can cause discomfort, injury, and decreased patient adherence. B. Perform punctal occlusion after instilling the drops: Punctal occlusion (gentle pressure on the inner corner of the eye) for 1–2 minutes reduces systemic absorption of the drug via the nasolacrimal duct. This is especially important with beta-blockers like Timolol, which can cause systemic effects such as bradycardia and hypotension. C. Administer the medication immediately after meals: The timing of Timolol eye drops is not dependent on meals. Food intake has no impact on the efficacy or absorption of ophthalmic medications. D. Instruct the patient to blink rapidly after instillation: Blinking rapidly can cause the medication to be expelled from the eye, reducing its effectiveness. Patients should be instructed to gently close the eye for a minute or two to enhance absorption.