Which technique should a nurse use to test corneal reflexes in a client?

The appropriate technique for testing corneal reflexes involves lightly touching the eyes with a wisp of cotton. This method directly stimulates the cornea and assesses the response of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), which is responsible for sensory information from the face, including the eye, and the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which mediates the blinking response via the muscles that close the eyelid.

When the cotton touches the cornea, the normal response should be an immediate blink reflex, indicating proper functioning of these cranial nerves. This technique is both safe and effective for evaluating corneal sensitivity and ensuring there is no damage or impairment to the nerves involved in this reflex.

In contrast, using a cotton swab to touch the eyelid may not provide an accurate measure of corneal reflexes, as it does not directly stimulate the cornea. Shining a light into the eyes assesses pupillary response rather than the corneal reflex, while asking a client to blink on command evaluates voluntary blinking rather than the reflexive response elicited by corneal stimulation. Focusing on the correct technique helps ensure accurate assessment and better patient outcomes.