FREE CPO Ocular Emergencies and Triage Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient calls stating they splashed a chemical cleaning agent in their eye. What is the most critical immediate instruction to give them?

Accepted Answer

Irrigate the eye with copious amounts of water for 15-20 minutes.

Answer

Cover the eye with a patch and come in immediately.

Answer

Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

Answer

Instill artificial tears to soothe the eye.

Question 2

A patient reports a sudden, painless, complete loss of vision in one eye, describing it as a 'curtain falling.' This is a classic symptom of what condition?

Accepted Answer

Retinal detachment

Answer

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Answer

Conjunctivitis

Answer

Corneal abrasion

Question 3

When triaging a patient with a red eye, which symptom is the most urgent and requires an immediate appointment?

Accepted Answer

Severe deep, aching pain and light sensitivity

Answer

Mild itching and watering

Answer

Moderate crusting of the eyelids upon waking

Answer

A gritty, foreign body sensation

Question 4

A patient calls after being hit in the eye with a fist. They are now experiencing double vision. This symptom strongly suggests what type of injury?

Accepted Answer

Orbital floor fracture

Answer

Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Answer

Traumatic iritis

Answer

Simple corneal abrasion

Question 5

A patient reports a sudden onset of new flashes of light (photopsia) and a shower of floaters. What is the most appropriate triage action?

Accepted Answer

Arrange for the patient to be seen the same day.

Answer

Schedule the patient for the next available routine appointment.

Answer

Advise the patient to monitor symptoms for a week.

Answer

Tell the patient these are normal signs of aging and not to worry.

Question 6

A welder calls complaining of severe eye pain, light sensitivity, and a foreign body sensation that started several hours after they finished working. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Ultraviolet (UV) keratitis

Answer

Allergic conjunctivitis

Answer

Intraocular metallic foreign body

Answer

Acute angle-closure glaucoma