What is the first action a nurse should take for a patient with a chemical burn to the eye?

For a patient with a chemical burn to the eye, the first action a nurse should take is to provide continuous irrigation to the affected eye. This is crucial because immediate irrigation helps to dilute and flush out the chemical substance that has caused the burn, minimizing tissue damage and preserving vision. Chemical burns can lead to severe complications, and rapid response is essential in preventing further injury.

The irrigation process should be initiated as soon as possible, ideally with copious amounts of saline or clean water. The goal is to remove the irritant to prevent it from causing deeper damage to the ocular structures. This step is critical in an emergency situation, as the longer the chemical remains in contact with the eye, the greater the risk of serious and potentially permanent damage.

Other actions, such as providing reassurance, educating the patient, or instructing them to lay flat, do not address the immediate and serious need to wash out the harmful chemical from the eye. These may come later, but they are not priorities in the urgency presented by a chemical burn.