Intensive Care Nursing/Essential Nursing Cares (eye,mouth)
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Eye Care
editThe potential for damage to the eyes is a recognised risk for the ICU patient due to sedation and paralysing agents, reduced or absent blinking, infection and the environment. Rosenberg (2008) state that 20-42% of ICU patients develop exposure keratopathy.
To start, take a look at these resourcesː
Eye Assessment
editPart of routine practice as part of initial thorough assessment at the start of each shift. Assess forː
- Eye & eyelid general cleanliness
- Signs of infection or red eyes (Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis)
- Risk factors for Ocular Surface Disorder (OSD)
- Keratopathy (corneal damage)
- Corneal dryness, discolouration or ulceration
- Lagopthalmus (incomplete eye closure) Wikipedia:Lagophthalmos
- Ocular surface disorder
- Conjunctival Oedema (Chemosis)
Eye care interventions
edit- Sterile technique
- Saline soaked gauze (some ICU’s may use sterile water) to clean. This is also known as “eye toilet”.
- Patient sedation level:
Sedated patient- eye lubricant (also may add moisture chamber with polyethene film) Awake patient- Artificial tears
Resources
Kam et al (2013) Eye Care in the Critically Ill: A National Survey and Protocol