Question

A client who sustained an eye injury arrives at the emergency department. The initial nursing action is to

A. Assess the client's visual acuity.
B. Administer an analgesic.
C. Apply a cold compress to the eye.
D. Irrigate the eye with normal saline.

Answer 1

The initial nursing action for a client with an eye injury is to assess visual acuity. Damage to the lens can affect the eye's ability to focus an image on the retina.

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial nursing action for a client who sustained an eye injury and arrived at the emergency department is to assess the client's visual acuity.

While the other options may be necessary interventions depending on the severity of the injury, assessing the client's visual acuity is the most important initial step to determine the extent of the injury and the appropriate course of action.

The visual acuity assessment helps identify any damage to the structures of the eye, including the lens, which could be damaged if the eyes are incapable of focusing an image on the retina.