Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

When removing an artificial eye, what is the nurse's first action?

1. Exert pressure below the lower eyelid.

2. Retract the upper eyelid.

3. Retract the lower eyelid.

4. Ask the patient to look upward.

The correct answer is: Retract the lower eyelid.

When removing an artificial eye, the nurse's first action involves retracting the lower eyelid. This step is crucial because it helps provide easier access to the artificial eye for removal. By retracting the lower eyelid, the nurse creates a more stable work area and allows for a better grasp on the artificial eye, minimizing the risk of damaging the eye socket or causing discomfort for the patient. The other options may support the process of removing the artificial eye but do not effectively prioritize the need to gain initial access. For instance, exerting pressure below the lower eyelid could lead to complications if not done carefully. Retraction of the upper eyelid, while sometimes necessary, does not provide the best approach for initial removal. Asking the patient to look upward can also assist in the overall procedure, but it is not the critical first step that sets the stage for safe and effective removal.