Final answer:
A patient with a corneal abrasion typically presents with eye pain, squinting, and photophobia. Flashing light is not a common symptom of corneal abrasion, and while purulent drainage indicates infection, it is not typical of an uncomplicated abrasion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse monitoring a patient with a corneal abrasion should look for several clinical manifestations. These include eye pain, which is a direct result of the injury to the corneal surface. Additionally, the patient may exhibit squinting due to discomfort and the involuntary response to reduce the palpebral fissure to protect the eye. The patient can also experience photophobia, or sensitivity to light, which occurs because the abrasion can make the nerve endings in the cornea more sensitive to stimuli, particularly light. Flashing light is less commonly associated with corneal abrasion, and more often with retinal detachment or migraine aura. Lastly, while purulent drainage can occur with eye infections comprising inflammation and pus production, it is not a typical symptom of a straightforward corneal abrasion unless an infection is also present.