What is the appropriate step after pulling the lower eyelid downward during eye drop administration?

After pulling the lower eyelid downward during eye drop administration, the appropriate step is to instill the drops of medication. This action is crucial because it allows the drops to be delivered into the conjunctival sac, which is the space between the lower eyelid and the eye itself. This method ensures that the medication is positioned correctly to be absorbed effectively and provide the intended therapeutic effect.

Applying an eye patch, rinsing the eye with saline, or asking the child to blink are not the next appropriate steps immediately following the placement of eye drops. An eye patch may be used after treatment or for protecting the eye, but it is not part of the immediate administration process. Rinsing with saline would be unnecessary unless there was a concern about irritation or a need for cleansing. Lastly, while blinking may help distribute the drops, it is not a necessary step following the administration since the drops should be instilled first to ensure they are applied correctly.