The practical nurse (PN) is reviewing instructions for the use of pilocarpine ophthalmic drops with a client who has glaucoma. The client replies that the drops should be used to anesthetize the eye if eye pain is experienced. What action should the PN implement?

A. Reassure the client that the drops will not be needed often since eye pain in glaucoma is not common: Offering reassurance without correcting the misunderstanding fails to address the client’s incorrect belief about the medication’s purpose and may lead to misuse. B. Document in the chart that the client understands the action and use of the eye drops: Documentation of understanding should only occur after confirming accurate knowledge. Since the client expressed an incorrect use of the medication, reteaching is required before documentation. C. Explain to the client that the eye drops do provide pain relief, but do not anesthetize the eyes: Pilocarpine is not an analgesic or anesthetic; it works by constricting the pupil and increasing aqueous humor outflow to reduce intraocular pressure. Providing this explanation would reinforce misinformation. D. Reteach the client about the action of the eye drops to decrease pressure in the eyes: The priority is client education. Pilocarpine’s therapeutic purpose is to reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma, preventing optic nerve damage. Reteaching ensures the client understands correct use and prevents unsafe application.