Maryville University Nurs 621 - HEENT Exam 1
Questions with Correct Answers | Latest 2026
What are conditions that require immediate referral?
-severe or sudden vision loss.
-sudden or intense eye pain.
-corneal ulceration.
-trauma.
-foreign body
-herpetic infection of the eye
What type of pain does conjunctivitis, stye and dry eyes have?
Irritation, grittiness or scratchiness.
What type of pain will the patient experience if the cornea is the issue?
-photophobia (can be severe)
-difficulty keeping eye open.
What 2 things can we ask the patient to help us distinguish between viral, allergic and
bacterial? (in terms of eye complaints)
-Ask about timing of the discharge.
-Ask about the characteristic of the eye discharge.
-Also ask about history of any URI symptoms
What are the basics in terms of physical exam for someone with an eye complaint?
,-making sure the globe is intact.
-red reflex
-pupils are reactive to light.
-EOM
-Visual acuity.
What is Blepharitis?
-Inflammation involving the structures of the lid margin.
-The most common ocular disease.
What is the presentation of Blepharitis?
-redness
-scaling
-crusting of the lid margins and eye lashes.
-pt reports burning, itching, feeling like something is in the eye.
How do you manage Blepharitis?
-Warm compresses 5-10 mins BID.
-scrub lash with diluted baby shampoo BID.
-Treatment:
Bacitracin, erythromycin, azithromyacin drops.
What is a Hordeolum (stye)?
,-an erythematous tender lump within the eye lid.
-involves infection or inflammation of a hair follicle of the eye lashes along the lid margin.
- caused by blocked meibomian glad or infection of sebaceous glands of the eyelash.
What is the onset for a Hordeolum?
Acute
Presentation of hordeolum?
-Sudden onset
-painful swelling
-pimple/abscess in either upper or lower lid.
-tender lump.
What is a Chalazion?
-A hordeolum that doesn't resolve and eventually forms granulation tissue.
-A blocked Meibomian gland.
-Pea-sized nodule within the eyelid, typically top eyelid.
What are the symptoms of a Chalazion?
-slow developing.
-no pain.
-hard mass/nodule within the eye lid (upper eyelid usually)
Is a Chalazion an infection?
No
, What do you do if the Chalazion is persistent?
Refer to ophthalmology for further evaluation.
What is bacterial conjunctivitis?
Is it contagious?
Inflammation and infection of the conjunctiva which is caused by bacteria.
Yes, highly contagious - direct contact with secretions or contaminated surfaces.
What is the symptomatic presentation of bacterial conjunctivitis?
-redness
-purulent or mucopurulent discharge (thick and globular)
-unilateral at onset
-eyelids "glued" shut in the AM.
-eyelid edema.
What are major pathogens in acute bacterial conjunctivitis?
Gram Positive Organisms
-Staphylococcus aureus (most common in adults)
-Streptococcus pneumoniae
Gram Negative Organisms
-Moraxella catarrhalis
-Haemophilius influenzae
-N. gonorrhoeae
Questions with Correct Answers | Latest 2026
What are conditions that require immediate referral?
-severe or sudden vision loss.
-sudden or intense eye pain.
-corneal ulceration.
-trauma.
-foreign body
-herpetic infection of the eye
What type of pain does conjunctivitis, stye and dry eyes have?
Irritation, grittiness or scratchiness.
What type of pain will the patient experience if the cornea is the issue?
-photophobia (can be severe)
-difficulty keeping eye open.
What 2 things can we ask the patient to help us distinguish between viral, allergic and
bacterial? (in terms of eye complaints)
-Ask about timing of the discharge.
-Ask about the characteristic of the eye discharge.
-Also ask about history of any URI symptoms
What are the basics in terms of physical exam for someone with an eye complaint?
,-making sure the globe is intact.
-red reflex
-pupils are reactive to light.
-EOM
-Visual acuity.
What is Blepharitis?
-Inflammation involving the structures of the lid margin.
-The most common ocular disease.
What is the presentation of Blepharitis?
-redness
-scaling
-crusting of the lid margins and eye lashes.
-pt reports burning, itching, feeling like something is in the eye.
How do you manage Blepharitis?
-Warm compresses 5-10 mins BID.
-scrub lash with diluted baby shampoo BID.
-Treatment:
Bacitracin, erythromycin, azithromyacin drops.
What is a Hordeolum (stye)?
,-an erythematous tender lump within the eye lid.
-involves infection or inflammation of a hair follicle of the eye lashes along the lid margin.
- caused by blocked meibomian glad or infection of sebaceous glands of the eyelash.
What is the onset for a Hordeolum?
Acute
Presentation of hordeolum?
-Sudden onset
-painful swelling
-pimple/abscess in either upper or lower lid.
-tender lump.
What is a Chalazion?
-A hordeolum that doesn't resolve and eventually forms granulation tissue.
-A blocked Meibomian gland.
-Pea-sized nodule within the eyelid, typically top eyelid.
What are the symptoms of a Chalazion?
-slow developing.
-no pain.
-hard mass/nodule within the eye lid (upper eyelid usually)
Is a Chalazion an infection?
No
, What do you do if the Chalazion is persistent?
Refer to ophthalmology for further evaluation.
What is bacterial conjunctivitis?
Is it contagious?
Inflammation and infection of the conjunctiva which is caused by bacteria.
Yes, highly contagious - direct contact with secretions or contaminated surfaces.
What is the symptomatic presentation of bacterial conjunctivitis?
-redness
-purulent or mucopurulent discharge (thick and globular)
-unilateral at onset
-eyelids "glued" shut in the AM.
-eyelid edema.
What are major pathogens in acute bacterial conjunctivitis?
Gram Positive Organisms
-Staphylococcus aureus (most common in adults)
-Streptococcus pneumoniae
Gram Negative Organisms
-Moraxella catarrhalis
-Haemophilius influenzae
-N. gonorrhoeae
