If a patient's blood splashes into your eyes, what should you do first?

Prepare for the Long Beach Lifeguard EMR Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each explained with hints. Ensure readiness for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If a patient's blood splashes into your eyes, what should you do first?

Explanation:
Prompt eye irrigation is the critical first step after a blood splash to the eye. Washing with plenty of clean water or saline for about 20 minutes helps dilute and flush out any bloodborne pathogens and contaminants, reducing the chance they enter the eye tissues. Rubbing the eyes should be avoided because it can cause corneal injury and push material deeper. After you begin irrigation, you should seek medical evaluation and inform a supervisor as part of the exposure protocol. Antibiotic ointment isn’t the immediate action for this scenario, and delaying irrigation to notify someone could increase risk.

Prompt eye irrigation is the critical first step after a blood splash to the eye. Washing with plenty of clean water or saline for about 20 minutes helps dilute and flush out any bloodborne pathogens and contaminants, reducing the chance they enter the eye tissues. Rubbing the eyes should be avoided because it can cause corneal injury and push material deeper. After you begin irrigation, you should seek medical evaluation and inform a supervisor as part of the exposure protocol. Antibiotic ointment isn’t the immediate action for this scenario, and delaying irrigation to notify someone could increase risk.

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