The nurse is caring for a school-age child with crusting and swollen eyelids, purulent drainage, and inflamed conjunctiva. The child receives a prescription for an ophthalmic antinfective ointment. What instruction should the nurse provide the child’s caregivers during discharge education?

Choice A rationale Using a disposable moist wipe to remove eye crusts can be helpful, but it’s not the most important instruction for caregivers. The crusts are a symptom of the infection, and while removing them can make the child more comfortable, it doesn’t address the underlying issue. Choice B rationale When using an ophthalmic anti-infective ointment, it is important to prepare the child for blurry vision after ointment application. This is because the ointment can temporarily blur vision after application. It is important to follow the instructions on the medication label and continue using the ointment for the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve before then. Choice C rationale While it’s important to keep the eye area clean, wiping towards the opposite eye could potentially spread the infection. Therefore, this is not the best advice for caregivers. Choice D rationale Discontinuing the ointment once drainage resolves could lead to an incomplete treatment of the infection. It’s crucial to use the ointment for the full course of treatment as prescribed by the healthcare provider, even if symptoms seem to improve.