The first aid measure for a person with chemical in his eye is?

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg Entrance-2017

Explanation

The first aid priority for a chemical burn to the eye is immediate, copious irrigation with tap water or normal saline.
This action dilutes and flushes the chemical agent from the surface of the eye, which is critical to stop the burning process and prevent further damage.
Irrigation should be performed for at least 15-20 minutes to ensure the chemical is sufficiently removed.
The technique involves flushing from the inner canthus to the outer canthus to avoid contaminating the unaffected eye.

Option B: Putting eye drops is incorrect because the small volume is completely insufficient to wash away the chemical. Some drops could even react with the chemical, worsening the injury.
Option C: Rubbing the eye is extremely dangerous as it can cause a corneal abrasion (a physical scratch on the eye) and can grind the chemical particles into the eye tissue, causing deeper injury.
Option D: Bandaging the eye is contraindicated because it traps the chemical against the cornea, prolonging contact and significantly increasing the severity of the burn.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain First Aid for Chemical Eye Injury as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Immediate and correct first aid for chemical eye burns can be the deciding factor in preserving a patient's sight. Nurses must be able to act quickly and instruct others to do so.
Alkali burns (e.g., from lye, ammonia) are generally more severe than acid burns because they penetrate tissue more deeply. Regardless of the chemical, immediate irrigation is the standard of care.
In a clinical setting, the nurse's role includes continuing irrigation (often with a Morgan lens), checking the eye's pH until it normalizes (typically 7.3-7.7), and preparing the patient for an urgent ophthalmology consultation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the question type. This is a first-aid priority question, asking for the most important initial action.
Analyze the situation: A chemical is in the eye. The core problem is the continued presence of a harmful substance causing damage.
The top priority in any contamination scenario is decontamination. Therefore, the primary goal must be to remove the chemical.
Evaluate the options based on this goal. 'Washing the eye' directly addresses removal and dilution of the chemical.
Consider the other options. Rubbing, bandaging, or putting in drops do not remove the chemical and, as established first-aid principles, are known to cause more harm in this situation.
Select the option that safely and effectively removes the contaminant, which is washing the eye thoroughly with water.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1787-1789

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 1 pp. 108-110, 109-111

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