Which of the following is the first aid measure for a person with chemicals in his eye?

DSSSB 13 August 2024

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

The universally accepted first aid for a chemical in the eye is immediate and copious irrigation with a neutral fluid, like tap water or normal saline.
This action works by diluting and physically flushing the chemical agent from the surface of the eye, which stops the chemical from causing further damage to the cornea and other tissues.
Prompt irrigation is the single most important factor in determining the visual outcome after a chemical eye injury.

Option A: Bandaging the eye is contraindicated as it traps the chemical against the cornea and conjunctiva, prolonging the contact time and significantly worsening the chemical burn.
Option C: Flushing the eye with acid is extremely dangerous. If the original chemical was an alkali, this could cause a violent exothermic (heat-releasing) reaction, causing a severe thermal burn. If the original chemical was an acid, this would simply add to the injury.
Option D: Flushing the eye with an alkali is also extremely dangerous. Alkali burns are typically more severe than acid burns because they cause liquefactive necrosis, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the tissue. Adding more alkali would be catastrophic.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain First aid management for chemical eye injuries as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In the event of a chemical eye injury, 'time is tissue.' The most critical nursing intervention is to initiate irrigation immediately. Do not delay irrigation to search for a specific neutralizing agent.
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients and workers in industrial settings about the importance of immediate eye flushing and the location of emergency eyewash stations.
What if the person is wearing contact lenses? Do not delay irrigation to remove them. Start flushing immediately. The lenses can be removed after a few minutes of irrigation have begun, as the fluid may help to loosen them.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: It asks for the immediate first aid action for a chemical in the eye.
Recall the primary principle of dealing with harmful substances on the body: remove or dilute the substance as quickly and safely as possible.
Evaluate each option against this principle.
Option A (Bandage) traps the substance, so it's incorrect.
Options C and D (Flush with acid/alkali) introduce another potentially harmful chemical and risk a dangerous reaction. This is unsafe, so they are incorrect.
Option B (Wash with water) directly addresses the principle by diluting and removing the chemical using a safe, neutral liquid. This is the correct approach.

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