When assessing the pupillary light reflex or PERRL (pupils, round, reactive to light), the nurse should use which technique?

A. Shine a light across the pupil from the side: To assess the pupillary light reflex, the nurse should shine a light across the pupil from the side and observe for both direct and consensual constriction (the constriction of both pupils when one is exposed to light). B. Follow the penlight: This tests for accommodation (focusing on near objects) rather than the pupillary light reflex. C. Shine a penlight directly in front: This method doesn’t assess both direct and consensual constriction properly. D. Focus on a distant object: This assesses accommodation, not the pupillary light reflex.