Page 1007 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

4. Instruct the parents about the need for follow-up
visits.
II. Conjunctivitis
A. Description
1. Also known as “pink eye”; an inflammation of the
conjunctiva
2. Conjunctivitis usually is caused by allergy, infection,
or trauma.
3. Types include viral, bacterial, or allergic; bacterial or
viral conjunctivitis is extremely contagious.
B. Assessment
1. Itching, burning, or scratchy eyelids
2. Redness
3. Edema
4. Discharge

Chlamydial conjunctivitis is rare in older children; if diagnosed

in a child who is not sexually active, the child should be assessed for
possible sexual abuse.

C. Interventions

1. Viral conjunctivitis.
a. The infection will usually resolve in 7 to
14 days; in some cases it can take 2 to 3
weeks or more to resolve.
b. Antiviral medication may be prescribed
to treat more serious forms of
conjunctivitis, such as those caused by
herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster
virus; antibiotics are not effective
against viruses.
2. Bacterial conjunctivitis
a. Mild cases may improve without
antibiotic treatment.
b. An antibiotic, usually prescribed
topically as eye drops or ointment,
may be prescribed to shorten the
length of infection, reduce
complications, and reduce the spread
to others.
3. Allergic conjunctivitis
a. Removing the allergen from the
environment often improves the
condition.
b. Allergy medications and eye drops
such as topical antihistamine and

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