What is the first step in administering eye drops?

Having the client sit or lay down is the first step in administering eye drops because this position helps ensure comfort and minimizes the risk of injury or misplacement of the drops. When a patient is stable and relaxed, it facilitates the procedure, allowing the healthcare provider to have better control over the administration process. It also helps the client to keep their head still, which is essential for accurately delivering the medication into the eye.

Positioning the client correctly can also alleviate anxiety, especially for those who may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the procedure, thus improving cooperation and overall experience.

Other actions, such as cleaning the eye area or holding the dropper, are important but come afterward. Cleaning the eye area, for instance, is done to prevent infection and ensure the medication can be effectively absorbed, but it must follow securing the client’s position for safety and ease of access. Instructing the client to blink would only occur after the drops are administered, as it helps to distribute the medication across the surface of the eye.