Which of the following eye injury may be due to heat or chemicals?

Appeared in: WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

Burns are injuries to the eye's tissues caused by exposure to either thermal (heat) or chemical agents.
Thermal burns can result from contact with hot objects like a curling iron, hot ash, or steam.
Chemical burns are caused by substances like acids (e.g., battery acid) or alkalis (e.g., lye, ammonia). Alkali burns are particularly dangerous as they penetrate ocular tissues rapidly and cause extensive damage.

Option A: An abrasion is a mechanical injury, specifically a scratch on the surface of the eye.
Option B: A foreign body injury is caused by a physical object (e.g., dust, metal shaving, eyelash) entering the eye, which is a form of mechanical trauma.
Option D: A contusion is a bruise resulting from blunt force trauma, such as being hit by a fist or a ball.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Etiology of Ocular Trauma helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
The most critical nursing action for a chemical eye burn is immediate, copious irrigation with saline or water. This single intervention can save a patient's sight.
Nurses must be able to quickly differentiate eye trauma types to initiate correct first aid. For example, you irrigate a chemical burn but shield a penetrating foreign body without attempting removal.
What if? - If the chemical is an alkali (like lye or ammonia) instead of an acid, the injury is far more severe. Alkalis penetrate tissues rapidly and continue to cause damage long after initial contact. This requires even more prolonged and aggressive irrigation until the ocular pH normalizes.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question stem: 'eye injury,' 'heat,' and 'chemicals.'
Next, analyze the options provided by defining each term.
An 'abrasion' is a scratch.
A 'foreign body' is an object in the eye.
A 'contusion' is a bruise from blunt force.
A 'burn' is tissue damage from thermal or chemical sources.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 1 p. 108-110

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