p. Observe the solution as it returns. Note the presence of cerumen or other
matter.
q. Observe the patient for signs of pain, nausea, or dizziness. Stop the irrigation
immediately if these symptoms occur. Report to the professional nurse at once. These
symptoms could be the result of a disturbance in the middle or inner ear, or may
indicate a damaged tympanic membrane.
r. Refill the syringe and repeat the procedure until the return flow of solution is
clear, or all of the prescribed solution has been used.
s. Assist the patient to a recumbent position, lying on the affected side for
several minutes to facilitate complete drainage of the ear canal.
t. Clean the ear and surrounding skin with moistened cotton balls. Blot dry.
u. Remove supplies from the bedside and store or discard as appropriate.
v. Wash your hands.
w. Record the procedure in the patient's clinical record.
Section IV. DISORDERS OF THE EYE
1-18. VISUAL DEFECTS
a. Myopia. Also referred to as "nearsightedness", myopia is a refractive error
caused by a structural defect of the eye.
(1) The eyeball is too long from front to back, causing light rays to focus in
front of the retina rather than on it.
(2) Close objects can be seen more clearly than distant objects, which
appear blurred and unfocused.
(3) Vision may be corrected with the use of a concave lens, which will cause
the light rays to focus on the retina.
b. Hyperopia. Also known as hypermetropia and "farsightedness", hyperopia is
a refractive error caused by a structural defect of the eye.
(1) The eyeball is too short from front to back, causing light rays to focus
behind the retina rather than on it.
(2) Distant objects can be seen more clearly than those close up. Near
objects are blurred and unfocused.
MD0919
1-19