Assisting with Eye and Ear Care

Question 1

What is ophthalmology focused on?

Answer 1

anatomy, function, diseases of the eye

Question 2

What is snellen chart for?

Answer 2

visual acuity (distance)

Question 3

What is jaeger chart for?

Answer 3

visual acuity (near)

Question 4

what is ishihara test for?

Answer 4

color vision

Question 5

What is blepharitis?

Answer 5

chronic inflammation of the eyelid edges

Question 6

What is ptosis?

Answer 6

droopy upper eyelid

Question 7

What is conjunctivitis?

Answer 7

pink eye

Question 8

What is a stye?

Answer 8

infection at the eyelash border
- apply most warm compresses
- don’t pop

Question 9

What are cataracts?

Answer 9

cloudy or opaque lens

Question 10

What is glaucoma?

Answer 10

increases fluid pressure

Question 11

What is glaucoma diagnosed by?

Answer 11

tonometer

Question 12

What is retinal detachment?

Answer 12

floaters and light flashes

Question 13

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Answer 13

damage to blood vessels supplying the retina

Question 14

What is macular degeneration?

Answer 14

dark spot in the center of the field of vision, peripheral vision, remains intact

Question 15

What is strabismus?

Answer 15

misaligned eyes
- children: unbalanced muscles
- adults: problems with nerves/muscles

Question 16

What is amblyopia?

Answer 16

lazy eye
- misaligned eye becomes lazy

Question 17

How is lazy eye fixed?

Answer 17

patch is placed over working eye to force child to use lazy eye

Question 18

What is myopia?

Answer 18

nearsightedness
- patient can’t see far

Question 19

What is hyperopia?

Answer 19

farsightedness
- patient can’t see up close

Question 20

What is presbyopia?

Answer 20

age-related vision loss

Question 21

What is astigmatism?

Answer 21

uneven cornea causing blurry vision

Question 22

What is ophthalmoscope for?

Answer 22

allows physician to see inside the eye

Question 23

What is tonometer for?

Answer 23

used to measure the pressure inside the eyes

Question 24

What is refraction exam for?

Answer 24

verify the need for corrective lenses

Question 25

Why do we administer medications to the eye?

Answer 25

- reduce pressure in the eyes - relieve eye pain - treat eye infections and inflammation

Question 26

Why should we avoid touching the dropper to the eye?

Answer 26

- may cause injury - may cause infection - may contaminate medication

Question 27

What should MAs teach patients?

Answer 27

- medication's use - check medication labels carefully before administering them at home

Question 28

What is cerumen impaction?

Answer 28

earwax buildup - use ear drops to soften wax - irrigation to remove it

Question 29

What is otitis externa?

Answer 29

- swimmer's ear - medicated drops prescribed

Question 30

What is pruritus?

Answer 30

itching

Question 31

What is otitis media?

Answer 31

middle ear infection - requires oral medication

Question 32

What is otosclerosis?

Answer 32

hardening of the bones of the middle ear resulting in hearing loss

Question 33

What is labyrinthitis?

Answer 33

infection of the inner ear resulting in vertigo - dizziness

Question 34

What is Meniere's disease?

Answer 34

- leads to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss - affects only one ear - starts between young and middle-aged adulthood

Question 35

What is ruptured eardrum?

Answer 35

hole or tea in the tympanic membrane - hearing loss

Question 36

What is tinnitus?

Answer 36

ringing in the ears

Question 37

What is presbycusis?

Answer 37

age-related hearing loss

Question 38

How do you work with patients with a hearing impairment?

Answer 38

- speak at a reasonable volume - speak clearly, in low-pitched tones - stand facing the patient - do not overemphasize lip movements - avoid hand gestures - restate message in short, simple sentences - patience and respect

Question 39

What is audiometer used for?

Answer 39

measure hearing acuity by testing different frequencies

Question 40

What is tympanometry for?

Answer 40

gauges pressure in the middle ear - assess fluid trapped in the middle ear

Question 41

What is a tuning fork for?

Answer 41

assess frequency (hearing)

Question 42

How can a MA help with ear treatments?

Answer 42

- patient education - administer ear medications - perform ear irrigations - assist with earwax removal - referral to audiometrist for hearing aids

Question 43

How should you position the patient's ear for irrigation on an adult?

Answer 43

pull the pinna upwards and outward towards the back