Question

A client arrives at the emergency department for treatment of an injury to the eye after being hit by a baseball bat. On data collection, the nurse notes that the eye is bleeding. Which of the following nursing actions is appropriate?

A. Apply a pressure dressing to the eye.
B. Administer an oral pain medication.
C. Instruct the client to close the eye tightly.
D. Assess for changes in visual acuity.

Answer 1

The appropriate nursing action for a client with an eye injury that is bleeding is to assess for changes in visual acuity. Increased redness, swelling, and pain after an injury are critical to monitor as they can indicate infection or further complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the given options, the appropriate nursing action for a client who arrives at the emergency department with an eye injury that is bleeding would be to assess for changes in visual acuity. It is critical to monitor for any potential vision changes, as they can indicate the severity of the injury and will guide further medical interventions. Applying pressure to an injured eye or instructing the client to close the eye tightly could potentially worsen the injury or increase intraocular pressure, which is especially risky if the client has an underlying condition like glaucoma. Administering oral pain medication would not be the immediate action without assessing the visual acuity first and may require a physician's order based on the assessment.

Moreover, increased redness, swelling, and pain after a cut or abrasion has been cleaned and bandaged are important to watch for as they can be signs of an infection or other complications. In the case of a severe eye injury, similar signs could also indicate critical issues requiring urgent medical attention.