Pathophysiology - Conjunctivitis

CONJUNCTIVITIS – inflammation of the conjunctiva, commonly called “pink eye”

Causes

• Allergy
• Bacterial, viral, or chlamydial infection
• Physical or chemical trauma

Signs and Symptoms

• Redness
• Pain
• Swelling
• Excessive tearing
• Burning or itching
• Purulent discharge from one or both eyes
• Lesions on or near the lid margins
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or throat area

Medical management

• Anitibiotic
• Warm soaks or sterile saline irrigations
• Antihistamine and decongestants

Nursing Management

• The nurse cleans the eye and instills or applies the prescribed medications
• The nurse provides health teachings so that the client can assume the necessary care independently
• The nurse identifies methods for preventing its spread