Instillation

Definition

Instillation is the administration of a medication in liquid form, drop by drop or as a solution, into a body cavity such as the eye, ear, or nose.

Eye Drops

• Patient looks up
• Pull lower lid down to form pocket
• Drop into conjunctival sac (NOT directly on cornea)
• Apply gentle pressure to inner canthus × 60 seconds (punctal occlusion) to reduce systemic absorption
• Wait 5 minutes between different eye drops
• Ointment AFTER drops

Ear Drops

• Adults/children >3 years: Pull pinna UP and BACK
• Children under 3: Pull pinna DOWN and BACK
• Warm to body temperature (cold causes vertigo/dizziness)
• Keep lying on side 5 minutes after instillation

Nose Drops

Supine with head hyperextended or tilted back. Have patient remain supine 5 minutes.

NCLEX Relevance

Ear: UP for adults, DOWN for children under 3. Eye: conjunctival sac, punctal occlusion.