UNIT 5 - EYE TRAUMA Flashcards
type of eye trauma that is caused by being struck by something
blunt
type of eye trauma that is cause by picking into the eye. this can cause an eye laceration.
penetrating
bleeding in the eye
hyphema
what is the first step in any eye assessment regardless of mechanism of injury
assess visual acuity including the peripheral vision
what are you looking for when assessing the eye?
pupils, redness and discharge
what are the symptoms present when there has been trauma to the eye from a foreign body?
- pressure in the eye
- pain
- constant tearing
- excessive blinking
- redness
what should be considered for a penetrating eye trauma from a projectile object?
- patient’s may require surgical intervention
- IV antibiotics
- tetanus shot
- ancillary testing such as CT scans or xrays
what type of injury most commonly occurs to the eyelids and the cornea?
- type of injury that causes permanent loss of vision
- considered an emergent situation
lacerations
what are the symptoms associated with a eye laceration?
- severe eye pain
- tearing
- decreased vision
- light sensitivity
- inability to open the eye
eye lacerations will always receive what ?
antibiotics; often they will be hospitalized for IV antibiotics and ongoing assessment as any minor change to the above assessments may indicate complications.
what kind of antibiotic is used for gram positive bacteria?
Cefazolin
what kind of antibiotic is used for gram negative bacteria?
Gentamicin
what kind of antibiotic is used for staphylococci bacteria?
Clindamycin
what kind of antibiotic is used for gram positive and enterococci bacteria?
Vancomycin
what should be avoided when there is an eye trauma?
- aspirin
- ibuprofen
- any other non steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs
when there is a penetrating eye trauma what should the nurse consider?
- gently place a shield over the eye
- DO NOT rinse with water
- DO NOT remove the object stuck in the eye
- DO NOT rub or apply pressure to the eye
as a general rule, ____ can cause considerable redness and burning but can be washed out easily
acids
chemicals that are basic are much more serious but may not seem so because they don’t cause as immediate eye pain or redness as acids.
- some (ex) oven cleaner, toilet bowel cleaner, chalk dust
alkai
what is the treatment for chemical eye trauma?
rinse for 15 minutes underneath a steady stream. then proceed immediately to the nearest emergency department. the key is to discover the type of chemical that has been exposed to know what you are dealing with.
what are the steps involved in the treatment for chemical eye trauma upon arrival to the ED?
- assess visual acuity
- check for pH level
- numb the eye with alcain/tetracain (does burn)
- fluorescein, stain the eye (administered by the physician) (does burn)
- woods lamp of the eye to assess the nature of the lacerations or abrasions within the eye.
The ____ lens must have an established and continuous flow prior to going into the eye, while in they eye and during removal of the eye. The lens should never be dry when in contact with the patient.
Morgan
how is the Morgan Lens inserted into the eye?
attached to lactated ringers, flow is established, the upper lid of the eye is raised and the patient is instructed to look down and then the lower lid is lowered and the patient is instructed to look up and then then that patient is instructed to close their eyes. The IV line is then taped to the patient’s forehead and the eye is cleansed.
How is the Morgan lens removed from the eye?
the flow is still continuous. the lower lid is lowered and the patient is instructed to look up and the Morgan Lens is removed.
what kind of solution is used to flush the eye out ?
Lactated Ringers
