During a bed bath a client complains of drainage from the eye. What would be the best rationale for using separate supplies for each eye?

Question

A) Protect the tear ducts
B) Avoid damage to sensitive eye tissues
C) Help to prevent spreading infection between the eyes
D) Move debris away from each eye

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
It is important to use separate supplies for each eye. This helps to prevent spreading infection between the eyes. The nurse should moisten a clean washcloth and cleanse from the inner canthus to the outer so as to move debris away from the eye, prevent reinfection or contamination of the eye, and protect the tear ducts. The eye area should be washed before, not after, washing any other part of the body to avoid introducing harmful microorganisms into the sensitive eye tissues. The nurse should wipe the client's eyelid with cotton balls soaked in sterile water or normal saline, if ordered, and not with antiseptic solution to avoid damage to the sensitive eye tissues.