Question

A 48 year old female has begun taking Adalimumab (Humira) for her rheumatoid arthritis. She comes to the clinic complaining of sudden eye pain and blurred vision. Upon examination, the nurse practitioner notes inflammation of the uvea. How should the nurse practitioner proceed?

a. Order C&S of fluid
b. Refer to ophthalmologist STAT
c. Refer to ER stat
d. Preform eye exam with Woods lamp

Answer 1

The nurse practitioner should refer a patient with sudden eye pain and blurred vision on Adalimumab to an ophthalmologist STAT for immediate specialized treatment and diagnosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a 48-year-old female patient taking Adalimumab (Humira) for rheumatoid arthritis presents with sudden eye pain, blurred vision, and uvea inflammation, the nurse practitioner should refer her to an ophthalmologist STAT. This rapid referral is necessary due to the urgency of potential ocular side effects associated with autoimmune disorders and treatment medications. The ophthalmologist has the expertise to diagnose and treat acute eye conditions such as uveitis, which can be severe and threatening to vision. Given the symptom's severity and the possibility of drug-related side effects, immediate evaluation by an eye specialist is warranted over an ER visit or in-office procedures like a Woods lamp eye examination or culture and sensitivity tests of fluids.