NURSING CARE RELATED TO THE SENSORY AND
NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEMS

1-15

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1-15. APPLYING EYE DRESSINGS

a. Wash your hands and assemble the necessary equipment.

(1) Sterile eye dressings (gauze squares or pre-cut eye patches).

 

(2) Hypoallergenic tape.

b. Approach and identify the patient. Explain the procedure.

c. Inspect the eyes for discharge or crusting, and cleanse the eyes.

d. Instruct the patient to close both eyes.

e. Place the patch gently over the affected eye. (If ordered by the physician, place a patch over the other eye as well. The physician will often prescribe a dressing for both eyes in order to help immobilize the affected eye.)

f. If the eye patches are not a self-adherent style, secure the patches in place with several pieces of hypoallergenic tape.

g. Provide for the patient's comfort and place the call bell within reach.

h. Remove supplies from the bedside and store or discard as appropriate.

i. Record the procedure in the patient's clinical record.

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