WGU D444: OA Adult Health Study Guide | 2026 Update

OA Adult Health


OA Study Guide

Ocular

 Injuries
o Chemical Burns
 Acid
 Alkaline
o Trauma
 Blunt
 Penetrating
o Foreign Body
 Ceramics
 Metal
 Wood
 Glass
 Plastic
o Thermal Burns
 Hot Surfaces
 Indirect from UV light
 Assessment Findings
o Abnormal or Decreased Vision
o Abnormal IOP
o Absent Eye Movements
o Blood in anterior chamber
o Fluid drainage
o Pain
o Photophobia
o Prolapsed Globe
o Diffused or Localized Redness
o Swelling
o Tearing
o Visible Field Defect
 Interventions
o Initial
 Determine Mechanism of Injury
 Ensure ABCs
 Assess for other injury
 Assess for chemical exposure

, OA Adult Health


Begin irrigation immediately with sterile saline or

water.
 Do not stop until emergency personnel arrive
 Assess visual acuity
 Do not put pressure on eye
 Tell patient to not blow nose
 Cover with dry, sterile patches and protective sheild
 Do not give food or fluids
 Elevate HOB 45°
 Give Proper analgesia
o Ongoing Monitoring
 Reassure patient
 Monitor Pain
 Anticipate surgical repair
 DO NOT ENCOURAGE COUGHING
 OFFER STOOL SOFTENERS TO REDUCE STRAIN

Glaucoma

 Pathology
o Group of disorders characterized by increased IOP and its
consequences
 Optic nerve atrophy and peripheral visual field loss
 Primary Open – Angle Glaucoma
o POAG is the most common type of glaucoma
o Caused by aqueous humor over production or decrease in
outflow which leads increased IOP
 Signs and Symptoms
 Gradual and not notice loss of peripheral vision
 Mild aching in eyes
 Headaches
 Closed – Angle Glaucoma
o AKA Angle – Closure Glaucoma “ACG
o Less common and can be caused by forward displacement of the
iris
o Aqueous humor outflow is blocked completely and leads to rapid
increase of IOP
 Signs and Symptoms
 Severe Eye Pain
 Nausea

, OA Adult Health


 Vomiting
 Blurred Vision
 Halos around lights
 Reddened Sclera
 Dx
o Tonometry to measure IOP
 Normal range is 10 – 20 mmHg
 >21 indicative of glaucoma
 Treatment
o ACG
 Mannitol
 Osmotic diuretic
 Rapidly decreases IOP
o POAG
 Eye drops
 Timolol
 Acetazolamide
 Brimonidine
 Travopost
o Risk Factor
 Aging
 Genetics
 Diabetes
 Hypertension

Cataracts

 Pathology
o Lens opacity that impairs vision
o Proteins in lens deteriorate, they clump which causes lens to
thicken and harden creating an opacity
 Risk Factors
o Aging
o Trauma
o Family History
o Systemic disease
 Diabetes
 Signs and Symptoms
o Gradual, painless of vision
o Complaints of blurry vision or double vision

, OA Adult Health


o Pupil will become while or gray in color as cataracts advances
o Absent red reflex upon examination
 Dx
o Physical Examination
o Visual Acuity Test
 Treatment
o Surgical Removal
 DO NOT ENCOURAGE COUGHING
 OFFER STOOL SOFTENERS TO REDUCE STRAIN
 Post-Op Care
o Patient will need to use eyedrops multiple times a day
 Antibiotic
 Steroid
 NSAIDs
 Reinforce importance of eyedrops and timing
o WEAR DARK SUNGLASSES OUTSIDE
o AVOID ACTIVITIES THAT INCREASE IOP
 Bending at waist
 Sneezing
 Coughing
 Blowing of nose
 Do not lift 10 lbs
 Avoid straining with bowel movements
o 4 – 6 weeks for improved vision

Tinea Pedis

 Pathology
o Athlete's foot
o Common fungal infection from dermatophyte that grows best in
warm and moist environments
o Spreads through contact with floors, clothes, towels
 Risk Factors
o Living in hot and humid environment
o Wearing closed shoes with socks
o Excessive sweating
o Community pools, baths, showers
 Signs and symptoms
o Scaley, peeling, cracked skin especially between toes
o Itchiness especially after taking off shoes