EENT Practice : Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions &
Answers Latest Update .
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management
Questions & Answers Latest Update.
A nurse is educating a group of parents about conjunctivitis ("pink eye"). Which of the
following statements about conjunctivitis are correct? (Select all that apply.)
A) Conjunctivitis only affects the outer cornea of the eye.
B) Viral conjunctivitis accounts for the majority of infectious cases.
C) Adenovirus is a common cause of viral conjunctivitis.
D) Conjunctivitis can be allergic, viral, or bacterial in nature.
E) Conjunctivitis is no longer contagious once eye redness appears.
F) Conjunctivitis involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucosal lining of
the eye and eyelid.
Correct Answers:
✅ B) Viral conjunctivitis accounts for the majority of infectious cases.
✅ C) Adenovirus is a common cause of viral conjunctivitis.
✅ D) Conjunctivitis can be allergic, viral, or bacterial in nature.
✅ F) Conjunctivitis involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucosal lining of
the eye and
eyelid.
A nursing student is reviewing the viral causes of conjunctivitis. Which of the following
viruses are known to cause viral conjunctivitis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Adenovirus
B) Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
C) Streptococcus pneumoniae
D) Varicella-zoster virus
E) Epstein-Barr virus
F) Molluscum contagiosum
G) Haemophilus influenzae
Correct Answers:
✅ A) Adenovirus
✅ B) Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
✅ D) Varicella-zoster virus
✅ E) Epstein-Barr virus
✅ F) Molluscum contagiosum
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions & Answers Latest
Update.
, EENT Practice : Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions &
Answers Latest Update .
A 24-year-old college student presents to the clinic complaining of red, watery eyes and a
gritty, burning sensation. He reports that the symptoms started suddenly in one eye but
now involve both. He also mentions recent cold symptoms and that his roommate was
recently sick. On exam, there is watery discharge and conjunctival injection, but no
purulent drainage or vision loss.
Which of the following features is most consistent with viral conjunctivitis?
A) Gradual onset with thick purulent discharge
B) Sudden onset with watery discharge and foreign body sensation
C) Chronic redness with no associated discharge
D) Unilateral eye pain with visual disturbances and photophobia
Correct Answer:
✅ B) Sudden onset with watery discharge and foreign body sensation
Rationale:
● A) Gradual onset with thick purulent discharge – ❌ This is more consistent
with bacterial conjunctivitis, which typically presents with thick, yellow or
green purulent discharge and often matting of the eyelids.
● B) Sudden onset with watery discharge and foreign body sensation – ✅ This
matches the classic clinical presentation of viral conjunctivitis, especially
when preceded by a recent upper respiratory infection and exposure to sick
contacts. It often starts in one eye and spreads to the other.
● C) Chronic redness with no associated discharge – ❌ This is more suggestive
of a non-infectious cause, such as allergic conjunctivitis or chronic irritant
exposure.
● D) Unilateral eye pain with visual disturbances and photophobia – ❌
This presentation is more concerning for keratitis, uveitis, or acute
angle-closure glaucoma, not viral conjunctivitis.
A nurse is educating a patient diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis on appropriate
treatment options. Which of the following interventions are appropriate for managing
viral conjunctivitis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Prescribe prophylactic antibiotics to prevent bacterial infection
B) Recommend artificial tears for comfort
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions & Answers Latest
Update.
, EENT Practice : Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions &
Answers Latest Update .
C) Apply cool compresses to reduce irritation
D) Use antihistamine/decongestant eye drops as needed
E) Administer antiviral eye drops immediately
F) Reassure the patient that the condition is self-limiting and typically resolves
within 5–14 days
Correct Answers:
✅ B) Recommend artificial tears for comfort
✅ C) Apply cool compresses to reduce irritation
✅ D) Use antihistamine/decongestant eye drops as needed
✅ F) Reassure the patient that the condition is self-limiting and typically resolves
within 5–14
days
A 5-year-old child presents with redness in both eyes, mild swelling, and a thick yellow
discharge that is worse in the morning. The child’s mother reports wiping the child’s
eyes several times throughout the day. What is the most likely causative organism?
A) Staphylococcus aureus
B) Haemophilus influenzae
C) Adenovirus
D) Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
✅ Correct Answer: B) Haemophilus influenzae
Rationale:
In children, the most common bacterial causes of conjunctivitis are Haemophilus
influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Staphylococcus aureus is more common in
adults. Viral causes (like adenovirus and HSV) typically present with watery
discharge, not thick purulent drainage.
Which of the following signs and symptoms are associated with hyperacute bacterial
conjunctivitis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Copious purulent discharge
B) Gradual onset over several weeks
C) Pain and decreased vision
D) Most often caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
E) Typically resolves without treatment
F) Rapid onset and progression
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions & Answers Latest
Update.
, EENT Practice : Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions &
Answers Latest Update .
✅ Correct Answers:
✅ A) Copious purulent discharge
✅ C) Pain and decreased vision
✅ D) Most often caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
✅ F) Rapid onset and progression
Rationale:
● A, C, D, F are all classic features of hyperacute conjunctivitis, often caused
by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in sexually active adults. This form requires urgent
treatment due to risk of corneal perforation.
● B describes chronic conjunctivitis.
● E is false; hyperacute forms require urgent medical attention and antibiotics.
A 28-year-old man presents with sudden onset of severe eye pain, copious
greenish-yellow discharge, and difficulty opening his eyes in the morning. He is sexually
active. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Viral conjunctivitis
B) Acute allergic conjunctivitis
C) Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis
D) Chronic bacterial conjunctivitis
✅ Correct Answer: C) Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis
Rationale:
The sudden onset, copious purulent discharge, eye pain, and sexual activity point
to a likely gonococcal (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) conjunctivitis, which is categorized as
hyperacute and requires immediate treatment to prevent complications.
Chronic bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by symptoms that:
A) Last fewer than 7 days
B) Are always caused by viral pathogens
C) Persist for more than 4 weeks with frequent relapses
D) Are typically self-limiting and do not require specialist care
✅ Correct Answer: C) Persist for more than 4 weeks with frequent relapses
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions & Answers Latest
Update.
Answers Latest Update .
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management
Questions & Answers Latest Update.
A nurse is educating a group of parents about conjunctivitis ("pink eye"). Which of the
following statements about conjunctivitis are correct? (Select all that apply.)
A) Conjunctivitis only affects the outer cornea of the eye.
B) Viral conjunctivitis accounts for the majority of infectious cases.
C) Adenovirus is a common cause of viral conjunctivitis.
D) Conjunctivitis can be allergic, viral, or bacterial in nature.
E) Conjunctivitis is no longer contagious once eye redness appears.
F) Conjunctivitis involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucosal lining of
the eye and eyelid.
Correct Answers:
✅ B) Viral conjunctivitis accounts for the majority of infectious cases.
✅ C) Adenovirus is a common cause of viral conjunctivitis.
✅ D) Conjunctivitis can be allergic, viral, or bacterial in nature.
✅ F) Conjunctivitis involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucosal lining of
the eye and
eyelid.
A nursing student is reviewing the viral causes of conjunctivitis. Which of the following
viruses are known to cause viral conjunctivitis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Adenovirus
B) Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
C) Streptococcus pneumoniae
D) Varicella-zoster virus
E) Epstein-Barr virus
F) Molluscum contagiosum
G) Haemophilus influenzae
Correct Answers:
✅ A) Adenovirus
✅ B) Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
✅ D) Varicella-zoster virus
✅ E) Epstein-Barr virus
✅ F) Molluscum contagiosum
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions & Answers Latest
Update.
, EENT Practice : Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions &
Answers Latest Update .
A 24-year-old college student presents to the clinic complaining of red, watery eyes and a
gritty, burning sensation. He reports that the symptoms started suddenly in one eye but
now involve both. He also mentions recent cold symptoms and that his roommate was
recently sick. On exam, there is watery discharge and conjunctival injection, but no
purulent drainage or vision loss.
Which of the following features is most consistent with viral conjunctivitis?
A) Gradual onset with thick purulent discharge
B) Sudden onset with watery discharge and foreign body sensation
C) Chronic redness with no associated discharge
D) Unilateral eye pain with visual disturbances and photophobia
Correct Answer:
✅ B) Sudden onset with watery discharge and foreign body sensation
Rationale:
● A) Gradual onset with thick purulent discharge – ❌ This is more consistent
with bacterial conjunctivitis, which typically presents with thick, yellow or
green purulent discharge and often matting of the eyelids.
● B) Sudden onset with watery discharge and foreign body sensation – ✅ This
matches the classic clinical presentation of viral conjunctivitis, especially
when preceded by a recent upper respiratory infection and exposure to sick
contacts. It often starts in one eye and spreads to the other.
● C) Chronic redness with no associated discharge – ❌ This is more suggestive
of a non-infectious cause, such as allergic conjunctivitis or chronic irritant
exposure.
● D) Unilateral eye pain with visual disturbances and photophobia – ❌
This presentation is more concerning for keratitis, uveitis, or acute
angle-closure glaucoma, not viral conjunctivitis.
A nurse is educating a patient diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis on appropriate
treatment options. Which of the following interventions are appropriate for managing
viral conjunctivitis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Prescribe prophylactic antibiotics to prevent bacterial infection
B) Recommend artificial tears for comfort
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions & Answers Latest
Update.
, EENT Practice : Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions &
Answers Latest Update .
C) Apply cool compresses to reduce irritation
D) Use antihistamine/decongestant eye drops as needed
E) Administer antiviral eye drops immediately
F) Reassure the patient that the condition is self-limiting and typically resolves
within 5–14 days
Correct Answers:
✅ B) Recommend artificial tears for comfort
✅ C) Apply cool compresses to reduce irritation
✅ D) Use antihistamine/decongestant eye drops as needed
✅ F) Reassure the patient that the condition is self-limiting and typically resolves
within 5–14
days
A 5-year-old child presents with redness in both eyes, mild swelling, and a thick yellow
discharge that is worse in the morning. The child’s mother reports wiping the child’s
eyes several times throughout the day. What is the most likely causative organism?
A) Staphylococcus aureus
B) Haemophilus influenzae
C) Adenovirus
D) Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
✅ Correct Answer: B) Haemophilus influenzae
Rationale:
In children, the most common bacterial causes of conjunctivitis are Haemophilus
influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Staphylococcus aureus is more common in
adults. Viral causes (like adenovirus and HSV) typically present with watery
discharge, not thick purulent drainage.
Which of the following signs and symptoms are associated with hyperacute bacterial
conjunctivitis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Copious purulent discharge
B) Gradual onset over several weeks
C) Pain and decreased vision
D) Most often caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
E) Typically resolves without treatment
F) Rapid onset and progression
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions & Answers Latest
Update.
, EENT Practice : Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions &
Answers Latest Update .
✅ Correct Answers:
✅ A) Copious purulent discharge
✅ C) Pain and decreased vision
✅ D) Most often caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
✅ F) Rapid onset and progression
Rationale:
● A, C, D, F are all classic features of hyperacute conjunctivitis, often caused
by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in sexually active adults. This form requires urgent
treatment due to risk of corneal perforation.
● B describes chronic conjunctivitis.
● E is false; hyperacute forms require urgent medical attention and antibiotics.
A 28-year-old man presents with sudden onset of severe eye pain, copious
greenish-yellow discharge, and difficulty opening his eyes in the morning. He is sexually
active. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Viral conjunctivitis
B) Acute allergic conjunctivitis
C) Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis
D) Chronic bacterial conjunctivitis
✅ Correct Answer: C) Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis
Rationale:
The sudden onset, copious purulent discharge, eye pain, and sexual activity point
to a likely gonococcal (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) conjunctivitis, which is categorized as
hyperacute and requires immediate treatment to prevent complications.
Chronic bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by symptoms that:
A) Last fewer than 7 days
B) Are always caused by viral pathogens
C) Persist for more than 4 weeks with frequent relapses
D) Are typically self-limiting and do not require specialist care
✅ Correct Answer: C) Persist for more than 4 weeks with frequent relapses
EENT Practice: Understanding Conjunctivitis and Its Management Questions & Answers Latest
Update.
