EYES AND EARS

Nursing Process

Systematic approach for patient care assessment.

Clinical Decision-Making

Process of evaluating options for patient care.

Eye Health Assessment

Evaluation of signs and symptoms in eyes.

Normal vs. Abnormal

Distinction between healthy and unhealthy findings.

Client History

Patient's past medical information and conditions.

Prioritize Client Needs

Rank patient requirements based on urgency.

Pathophysiology

Study of disease processes affecting client presentation.

Implementation

Execution of planned nursing interventions.

Eustachian Tube

Connects middle ear to throat; regulates pressure.

Allergy Risk Factors

Elements that increase likelihood of allergic reactions.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Risk factors that can be changed or controlled.

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

Fixed risk factors such as genetics or age.

Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms

Itchy eyes, ear pressure, fatigue, and swelling.

Nursing Diagnosis

Clinical judgment about patient health issues.

Acute Pain

Sudden pain related to inflammation or injury.

Conjunctiva

Clear layer covering the front of the eye.

Sclera

White outer layer of the eyeball.

Pupil

Opening in the center of the iris.

Iris

Colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil.

Eyelid

Skin fold protecting the eye from debris.

Evaluation

Assessment of outcomes to determine care effectiveness.

Impaired Self-Concept

Negative perception of oneself affecting behavior.

Fatigue

Extreme tiredness impacting daily functioning.

Seasonal Allergies

Allergic reactions triggered by seasonal pollen.

Allergic Rhinitis

Inflammation of nasal mucous membranes due to allergens.

HEPA Filter

High-efficiency particulate air filter for allergens.

Nasal Rinse

Flushing sinuses to relieve congestion.

Antihistamines

Medications that reduce allergy symptoms.

Decongestants

Medications that relieve nasal congestion.

Allergy Triggers

Substances that provoke allergic reactions.

Eustachian Tubes

Connect middle ear to throat, regulate pressure.

Therapeutic Communication

Effective interaction to promote client understanding.

Cues Recognition

Identifying signs and symptoms in clients.

Family History of Allergies

Genetic predisposition to allergic conditions.

Ear Pressure Relief

Methods to alleviate pressure in the ears.

Runny Nose

Excess nasal discharge often due to allergies.

Reddened Eyes

Eye irritation commonly associated with allergies.

Increased Respirations

Elevated breathing rate, not typical in allergies.

Fever

Elevated body temperature, not a symptom of allergies.

Client Education

Informing clients about managing their health conditions.

Minimizing Allergy Symptoms

Strategies to reduce exposure to allergens.

Bathe After Outdoor Activity

Cleansing to remove allergens from skin.

Keep Doors and Windows Closed

Preventing pollen entry into living spaces.

Nasal corticosteroids

Drugs that reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.

Immunotherapy

Allergy treatment involving gradual allergen exposure.

Tropicamide drops

Eye drops used to dilate pupils for exams.

Shortness of breath

Potential respiratory distress symptom, not typical for allergies.

Itchy throat

Typical allergy symptom, not a priority finding.

Chronic lung conditions

Not caused by complications from allergies.

Triggers

Specific allergens that provoke allergic reactions.

Ear pressure

Feeling of fullness due to eustachian tube obstruction.

Malleus

Bone in the middle ear, does not cause pressure.

Tympanic membrane

Eardrum, does not cause ear pressure.

Tympanic cavity

Middle ear space, does not cause ear pressure.

Chronic eye complications

Not a risk for people with allergies.

Immunotherapy frequency

Involves injections 1-2 times per week.

Allergy shots

Injections used in immunotherapy for allergies.

Diagnostic positions test

Assesses eye movement and alignment.

PERRLA

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation.

Snellen chart

Measures visual acuity using letters at specific distances.

20/40 vision

Sees at 20 feet what normal sees at 40 feet.

Otoscope

Instrument for examining the ear canal and eardrum.

Ophthalmoscope

Instrument for examining the interior of the eye.

Health history

Collects subjective data on medical and lifestyle factors.

Vision difficulty

Includes decreased acuity, blurring, and blind spots.

Eye pain

Includes burning, itching, and discomfort in the eyes.

Strabismus

Misalignment of the eyes, leading to double vision.

Diplopia

Seeing two images of a single object.

Glaucoma

Increased intraocular pressure causing vision loss.

Risk factors for eye disease

Includes family history, age, and UV exposure.

Hearing loss

Reduced ability to hear sounds, often gradual.

Tinnitus

Perception of noise or ringing in the ears.

Cerumen buildup

Excessive earwax that can affect hearing.

Inspection of eyes

Evaluates position, moisture, and color of sclera.

Inspection of ears

Assesses symmetry, alignment, and skin condition.

Parts of the eye

Includes pupil, iris, and sclera.

Chronic diseases

Conditions like hypertension and diabetes affecting health.

Environmental noise

Loud sounds contributing to hearing impairment.

Lifestyle behaviors

Smoking and alcohol use impacting eye and ear health.

Ear drainage

Fluid discharge from the ear indicating infection.

Pupil Gauge

Measures pupil size in millimeters.

Miosis

Pupil size less than 2 mm.

Mydriasis

Pupil size 6 mm or larger.

Visual Acuity

Clarity of vision measured with Snellen chart.

Normal Vision

20/20 vision means clear sight at 20 feet.

20/30 Vision

Sees at 20 feet what others see at 30.

20/10 Vision

Sees at 20 feet what others see at 10.

Otoscopic Examination

Uses otoscope to inspect ear canal and tympanic membrane.

Ear Assessment

Includes inspection, palpation, and otoscope visualization.

Symmetry in Ears

Asymmetry may indicate underlying health issues.

Palpation Areas

Tenderness assessed in auricle, lobe, tragus, mastoid.

Cerumen

Earwax found in the external auditory canal.

Erythema

Redness indicating possible infection or irritation.

Jaundice

Yellowing indicating possible liver issues.

Anemia

Pale conjunctiva may suggest low red blood cells.

Tophi

Nodules indicating possible renal impairment.

Occlusion

Blockage in the ear from cerumen or foreign objects.

Auditory Acuity

Assessment of hearing ability using various tests.

Whispered Voice Test

Detects high-tone loss by whispering numbers/letters.

Tuning Fork Tests

Identifies conductive or sensorineural hearing loss.