Medication Assistant Training Medication Assistant Training Module 5 Module 5

EyesEars

Nose

Assisting with Assisting with Medications for Medications for

Eyes,Ears,Nose & Skin Eyes,Ears,Nose & Skin

Drops , Ointments and Drops , Ointments and

Eye patch Eye patch

Assisting with Eye DropsAssisting with Eye Drops

Check the order and pharmacy label.Check the order and pharmacy label. Read the instructions carefully.Read the instructions carefully. Be certain you know which eye is to Be certain you know which eye is to

be treated :be treated : O.D. = right eyeO.D. = right eye O.S. = left eye O.S. = left eye O.U. = both eyes O.U. = both eyes

Always Wash Your Hands!Always Wash Your Hands!

♥Explain the procedure

♥Explain that the student’s vision may be blurred temporarily.

♥Have the student sit comfortably, in a chair with support for neck, or lying down.

♥Gently wipe the eye to be treated with a gauze wet with water or normal saline, (to remove any drainage). Stroke from the nose outward.

♥Ask student to tilt head back and look at ceiling.

♥Gently pull the lower lid of the eye down & out to form a pocket.

Eye Drops

Assisting with Eye DropsAssisting with Eye Drops ..

Holding the dropper near the lid, gently drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket.

To prevent the dropper from touching the person’s eye , support your hand by placing a finger on the individual’s forehead

Press the inner corner of the eye to prevent the medication from entering the respiratory system.

Avoid touching the eyelid or lashes with the dropper. (This contaminates thedropper and can cause discomfort.

Do not drop medication on the clear transparent part of the eye (the cornea).

Ask the person to blink several times but not to rub the eye.

Discard gloves , wash hands, and document treatment.

Eye MedicationEye Medication

Medication for the EyeMedication for the Eye

Assisting with Eye OintmentAssisting with Eye Ointment Explain the procedure—Explain the procedure—

– (instruct the student that vision may be blurred temporarily after (instruct the student that vision may be blurred temporarily after applying this medication).applying this medication).

Have the student assume a comfortable positionHave the student assume a comfortable position– either lying down or sitting in a chair with support for the neck.either lying down or sitting in a chair with support for the neck.

Gently wipe the area around the eye(s) to be treated with Gently wipe the area around the eye(s) to be treated with a gauze pad that has been moistened with normal saline a gauze pad that has been moistened with normal saline or water to remove drainage. or water to remove drainage.

Use a clean pad for each wipe and stroke from the nose Use a clean pad for each wipe and stroke from the nose

outward.outward. Ask the student to tilt the head back and to look up at the Ask the student to tilt the head back and to look up at the

ceiling.ceiling.

Assisting with Eye OintmentAssisting with Eye Ointment Gently roll the tube of medication between the Gently roll the tube of medication between the

palms of both hands. palms of both hands. – This aids in warming the ointment so it can cover the eye This aids in warming the ointment so it can cover the eye

evenly.evenly. Gently pull the Gently pull the lower lidlower lid of the affected eye down of the affected eye down

and out, to form a pocket.and out, to form a pocket. Beginning at the inner corner of the eye (next to Beginning at the inner corner of the eye (next to

the bridge of the nose) and working toward the the bridge of the nose) and working toward the outer eye, gently squeeze a thin ribbon of the outer eye, gently squeeze a thin ribbon of the medication on the surface of the lower lid. medication on the surface of the lower lid. – To prevent the tube from being thrust into the student’s To prevent the tube from being thrust into the student’s

eye, it is good practice to support your hand by placing a eye, it is good practice to support your hand by placing a finger on the student’s forehead.finger on the student’s forehead.

Assisting with Eye OintmentAssisting with Eye Ointment

Have the student close the eye(s) Have the student close the eye(s) and massage the area gently to and massage the area gently to spread the medication across the spread the medication across the entire eye.entire eye.– Avoid touching the eye or the eyelid Avoid touching the eye or the eyelid

with tubewith tube.. Discard gloves and Discard gloves and washwash your your

hands.hands. Record results.Record results.

Applying Eye PatchApplying Eye Patch Check the order form Check the order form

and read instructions and read instructions carefully. carefully. – Be certain you know Be certain you know

which eye is to be which eye is to be patched. patched.

– Initials may be used to Initials may be used to specify the eye that specify the eye that requires treatment. requires treatment.

– O.D. = right eye; O.S. = O.D. = right eye; O.S. = left eye; O.U. = both left eye; O.U. = both eyeseyes

Assemble necessary Assemble necessary equipment. equipment. – The parent, prescriber, The parent, prescriber,

or pharmacist should or pharmacist should supply the eye pad(s).supply the eye pad(s).

WashWash your hands and your hands and applyapply gloves to gloves to both hands.both hands.

Explain the procedure to the student.Explain the procedure to the student. Place it gently over the student’s closed Place it gently over the student’s closed

eye. eye. DO NOT TOUCH THE SIDE OF PAD DO NOT TOUCH THE SIDE OF PAD THAT LIES on the student’s eyeTHAT LIES on the student’s eye..

Apply two or three strips of paper tape Apply two or three strips of paper tape from the mid-forehead to below the ear.from the mid-forehead to below the ear.

Discard gloves and Discard gloves and washwash your hands. your hands. Record results.Record results.

Applying Eye PatchApplying Eye Patch

Assisting with Ear DropsAssisting with Ear Drops Check the order form Check the order form

and pharmacy label. and pharmacy label. Read instructions Read instructions

carefully. carefully. – Be certain you know Be certain you know

which ear(s) is to be which ear(s) is to be treated (right, left, or treated (right, left, or both).both).

Assemble the Assemble the necessary equipmentnecessary equipment

Wash Wash your hands.your hands. Explain the procedures Explain the procedures

to the student.to the student.

Warm the medication to body temperature Warm the medication to body temperature by holding it in your hands for several by holding it in your hands for several minutes.minutes.

Ask the student to lie on one side with the Ask the student to lie on one side with the ear to be treated facing upward or, if sitting, ear to be treated facing upward or, if sitting, to tilt the head away from the affected ear.to tilt the head away from the affected ear.

Clean the outer ear carefully and thoroughly Clean the outer ear carefully and thoroughly with cotton.with cotton.

Draw the medication into the dropper. To Draw the medication into the dropper. To properly regulate dosage, draw only the properly regulate dosage, draw only the amount to be administered.amount to be administered.

Assisting with Ear DropsAssisting with Ear Drops

Gently, pull the cartilage part of the outer Gently, pull the cartilage part of the outer ear ear BACK AND UPBACK AND UP. Place the prescribed . Place the prescribed number of drops into the ear canal number of drops into the ear canal without touchingwithout touching the dropper to the ear. the dropper to the ear.

Advise the student to remain in the same Advise the student to remain in the same position for a few minutes to avoid position for a few minutes to avoid leakage of drops from the ear, and then leakage of drops from the ear, and then cleanse the external ear with dry cotton cleanse the external ear with dry cotton balls.balls.

WashWash your hands. your hands. Record results.Record results.

Assisting with Ear DropsAssisting with Ear Drops

Assisting with Nose DropsAssisting with Nose Drops

Check order form and Check order form and pharmacy label for pharmacy label for instructions.instructions.

Instruct the student to Instruct the student to gently blow the nose gently blow the nose ((except in case of except in case of nosebleeds or other nosebleeds or other contraindications.)contraindications.)

Assemble necessary Assemble necessary equipment.equipment.

Wash hands and apply Wash hands and apply gloves to both hands.gloves to both hands.

DropsDrops: : Draw the medicine into the dropper. Draw the medicine into the dropper. To properly regulate dosage, draw only the To properly regulate dosage, draw only the

amount to be administered.amount to be administered.SpraySpray: : Prepare the spray container as directed on label.Prepare the spray container as directed on label. Have the student lie down and tilt the head Have the student lie down and tilt the head

backward by elevating the shoulders.backward by elevating the shoulders. Insert the dropper into the nasal passage and Insert the dropper into the nasal passage and

instill the medicine or assist the student in self-instill the medicine or assist the student in self-administering if a nasal spray.administering if a nasal spray.

Assisting with Nose DropsAssisting with Nose Drops

Wipe the dropper off with a clean gauze Wipe the dropper off with a clean gauze pad to remove mucus.pad to remove mucus.

Have the student remain in this position Have the student remain in this position for several minutes to allow the for several minutes to allow the medication to be absorbed.medication to be absorbed.

Note results.Note results. Instruct the student Instruct the student not not to blow his or her to blow his or her

nose unless absolutely necessary.nose unless absolutely necessary. Discard gloves and Discard gloves and washwash your hands. your hands. RecordRecord results. results.

Assisting with Nose DropsAssisting with Nose Drops

Application of Skin Creams, Application of Skin Creams, Ointment, and SalvesOintment, and Salves

Read the order form and pharmacy Read the order form and pharmacy label. Follow instructions carefully.label. Follow instructions carefully.

WashWash hands and hands and applyapply gloves. gloves. Apply small amount of cream to tips Apply small amount of cream to tips

of gloved fingersof gloved fingers Apply medicine to designated part of Apply medicine to designated part of

body.body.

Assisting with Skin Assisting with Skin ApplicationsApplications

Many locally applied drugs such as lotions, Many locally applied drugs such as lotions, patches, pastes, and ointments can create patches, pastes, and ointments can create systemic and local effects if absorbed through systemic and local effects if absorbed through the skin. the skin. – To protect yourself from accidental exposure, apply To protect yourself from accidental exposure, apply

these drugs using gloves and applicators.these drugs using gloves and applicators. Each type of medication, whether an ointment, Each type of medication, whether an ointment,

lotion, powder, or patch, should be applied in a lotion, powder, or patch, should be applied in a specific way to ensure proper penetration and specific way to ensure proper penetration and absorption. absorption. – For example, lotions and creams are applied by For example, lotions and creams are applied by

spreading them lightly onto the skin’s surface, whereas spreading them lightly onto the skin’s surface, whereas powders are dusted lightly over the affected areas.powders are dusted lightly over the affected areas.

Assisting with Skin Assisting with Skin ApplicationsApplications

If topical agent is present—If topical agent is present—– first wash site with mild, nondrying soap and first wash site with mild, nondrying soap and

warm water.warm water. Carefully inspect the condition of the skin Carefully inspect the condition of the skin

or membranes over which medications are or membranes over which medications are to be applied.to be applied.

Discard gloves and Discard gloves and washwash your hands. your hands. Contact your delegating RN if you have Contact your delegating RN if you have

questions or concerns.questions or concerns. Record the results.Record the results.

Thank- You!Thank- You!Please go to module 6Please go to module 6

. . This presentation was made using the This presentation was made using the medication training curriculum adopted by medication training curriculum adopted by the Alabama Board of Nursing and the the Alabama Board of Nursing and the Alabama State Board of Education.Alabama State Board of Education.