Patient Interactions & Communication
What is the term for maintaining privacy of a patient’s health information?
HIPAA
What is the term for prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition?
Triage
What is the route of administration for eye drops?
Topical
What is the most effective method of preventing the spread of infection?
Hand washing
What does the abbreviation “OD” stand for on a prescription?
Right Eye (Oculus Dexter)
What’s one way to show a patient you are actively listening?
Facial expressions, eye contact, repeating back what they said, etc.
Name one true ocular emergency.
chemical burn, penetrating injury, sudden painless vision loss
What color cap is typically used for mydriatic drops (like tropicamide)?
Red
What does PPE stand for?
Personal Protective Equipment
What must always be checked before instilling drops into a patient’s eye?
Name, allergies, expiration date, correct medication
How should you respond to an angry patient in the waiting room?
Remove them from the waiting area, remain calm, validate concerns, offer to help resolve the issue professionally
What is the first step if a patient has a chemical splash in their eye?
Begin immediate eye irrigation with water
What type of drug is timolol, and what is it used for?
Beta-blocker; used to lower IOP in glaucoma
What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?
Disinfection reduces microbes; sterilization kills all microbes
What is the appropriate protocol if a bottle tip touches the patient’s eye?
Discard and get a new bottle if contaminated
What is the first thing you should do when encountering a visually impaired patient?
Introduce yourself
How many minutes of flushing is recommended for a chemical eye injury?
15 minutes
What is the difference between a miotic and a mydriatic?
Miotic constricts pupil; mydriatic dilates pupil
What is the minimum time to wash hands with soap and water?
At least 20 seconds
What type of eye drop do we need to shake before use?
Suspensions (they must be evenly mixed for effectiveness)
When testing visual acuity, if a patient can not count fingers, what should you do next?
Check to see if they can detect hand motion
What is the most common pulse point (adult)?
Radial Artery
Why is punctal occlusion sometimes recommended after administering eye drops?
To reduce systemic absorption and increase ocular effect
What instrument sterilization method uses high heat and pressure?
Autoclave/steam sterilization
What does "QID" stand for?
4 times a day