During a partial bed bath, how should a resident's eyes be cleansed?

• A. Use a soapy washcloth to clean eyes from inner corner to outer corner.
• B. Wipe eyes with a dry washcloth only.
• C. Cleanse eyes with a soap-free washcloth, wiping from inner corner to outer corner, using a clean area for the other eye, while keeping bed linen dry.
• D. Rinse eyes with basin water only.

Answer: (C)

Eye cleansing during a partial bed bath should be done with a soap-free washcloth moistened with warm water, and the movement should be from the inner canthus toward the outer canthus. Using a clean area of the washcloth for each eye helps prevent transferring germs from one eye to the other, and keeping the bed linens dry is important to avoid irritation or discomfort. The process is gentle, avoiding rubbing or pulling on the eyelids. This combination—soap-free, inner-to-outer wipe, clean cloth area for the other eye, and keeping the linen dry—minimizes irritation and infection risk while maintaining comfort.