What is the appropriate action to take before administering eye medication?

Before administering eye medication, it is critical to ensure that the medication is delivered in a way that minimizes the risk of contamination and promotes proper dosing. Squeezing a small amount on a tissue without touching the tip serves to demonstrate the action of discarding excess medication and ensures that the dropper remains clean and untainted, which is vital for patient safety.

Maintaining sterility is essential in ophthalmic applications. Touching the tip of the dropper can introduce bacteria or other contaminants into the medication, potentially leading to infections or adverse reactions if the medication is then placed in the eye.

Other options do not align with safe practice protocols. For instance, shaking the bottle vigorously is not typically recommended as it can create bubbles or cause improper dosing. Soaking the dropper in alcohol is unnecessary and may damage the dropper or affect medication efficacy. Warming the medication in one's hands is not a standard requirement and could potentially lead to an unintentional alteration of the medication’s properties.

Thus, squeezing out a small amount onto a tissue while avoiding contact with the dropper tip is the most appropriate and safe action to take before administering eye medication.