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Chemical eye injury — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyTraumaChemical eye injuryDipIMC

A 44-year-old laboratory worker has splashed alkali into both eyes. He has severe pain, blepharospasm and reduced vision; clean water and saline are available. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Begin immediate copious irrigation and continue during transfer

Begin immediate copious irrigation and continue during transfer is the best answer because alkali eye injuries penetrate rapidly and immediate irrigation is sight-saving. Wait for imaging before intervening is less appropriate because imaging is not available or appropriate before treating a clinical life threat; Perform a full secondary survey before treating the abnormality is less appropriate because secondary survey follows correction of immediate life threats. Give a large crystalloid bolus before controlling the injury and Transport without treating the identified time-critical problem are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; British Burn Association Pre-hospital Burn Consensus