Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on a nurse gathering the health history of a patient prescribed an eye drop for glaucoma. With the patient unsure of the medication’s name, the nurse turns to the electronic health record (EHR) for clues. Can you identify the likely glaucoma treatment in the medication list as the nurse navigates this crucial moment in patient care?
The nurse is gathering health history data from a patient in the emergency department. The patient states, “I was just prescribed an eye drop to treat my glaucoma, but I don’t know the name of it.” The nurse reviews the patient’s home medication list in the electronic health record (EHR). Which medication in the list is the patient most likely referring to?
Home Medications |
Lisinopril 10 mg, PO, daily |
Metoprolol 12.5 mg, PO, daily |
Enoxaparin 30 mg, subcutaneous, daily |
Diclofenac 1% gel, 4 g, topical, every 12 hours PRN for pain |
Ciprofloxacin 0.2% otic solution, 2 drops, bilaterally, twice daily |
Timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution, 1 drop, bilaterally, twice daily |
Nitroglycerin 0.4 mcg, sublingual, every 5 minutes PRN for chest pain |
Scroll down for the correct answer!
The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
Home Medications |
Lisinopril 10 mg, oral, daily |
Metoprolol 12.5 mg, oral, daily |
Enoxaparin 30 mg, subcutaneous, daily |
Diclofenac 1% gel, 4 g, topical, every 12 hours as needed for pain |
Ciprofloxacin 0.2% otic solution, 2 drops, bilaterally, twice daily |
Timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution, 1 drop, bilaterally, twice daily |
Nitroglycerin 0.4 mcg, sublingual, every 5 minutes as needed for chest pain |
Major Takeaway
There are several different routes for medication administration. The most common routes are oral, also known as PO; parenteral, which includes intravenous, or IV, intramuscular, or IM, subcutaneous; and intradermal. Other routes for medication administration include inhalation, sublingual, rectal, as well as topical gels, creams, ointments, or patches that are applied to the surface of the skin. Otic solutions are administered in the external ear, whereas ophthalmic solutions are applied to the eyes, such as eye drops for treatment of glaucoma.
________________________
Want more NCLEX®-style practice questions? Try Osmosis by Elsevier today! Access your free trial and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.

Leave a Reply