Final answer:
In the plan of care for an adult patient with adult inclusion conjunctivitis (AIC) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, discussing the need for sexually transmitted infection testing is a crucial action to be included. Treatment with the appropriate antibiotics, not antiviral eyedrops or topical corticosteroids, is essential, and patient education on proper use of the prescribed antibiotic therapy is important.
Step-by-step explanation:
When developing a plan of care for an adult patient with adult inclusion conjunctivitis (AIC) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, it is crucial to include certain actions that address this specific infection. Given that AIC is a form of sexually transmitted infection, one important action to include is discussing the need for sexually transmitted infection testing. This is to ensure that the patient is properly diagnosed and that any sexual partners are alerted and treated if necessary to prevent the spread of the infection.
Contrary to using antiviral eyedrops, which are ineffective against bacterial infections such as AIC, the appropriate treatment involves antibiotics to target Chlamydia trachomatis. Antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline are commonly used and are recommended by health authorities. Topical corticosteroids are generally not indicated as they can exacerbate the infection, and educating about the use of antiviral drops would not be appropriate since the causative agent is bacterial, not viral. Instead, patient education should focus on the correct use of prescribed antibiotic therapy.
Lastly, while applying for community visual rehabilitation services may be necessary in cases of advanced or untreated infections leading to complications, it is not typically included in the initial plan of care for AIC unless the patient has already experienced severe vision loss.