A nurse is preparing to perform an ocular irrigation for a client who received a chemical splash in the eye. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Nursing management of ocular chemical injuries requires immediate and continuous irrigation to prevent corneal damage, ulceration, and vision loss. A chemical splash to the eye is a medical emergency because corrosive substances can rapidly penetrate ocular tissues and cause irreversible injury. Ocular irrigation is performed to dilute and remove the chemical agent as quickly as possible. The priority is rapid use of an appropriate isotonic solution to minimize tissue damage and restore ocular pH balance. Rationale: A. Directing the flow from the outer corner to the nasal corner of the eye is incorrect because irrigation should ensure thorough flushing of the entire conjunctival sac rather than a specific directional flow pattern. The primary goal is to wash out the chemical agent completely, and improper technique may not adequately remove the irritant from all ocular surfaces. B. Placing the client in a lateral position is not the preferred position for ocular irrigation in chemical exposure. The client is typically positioned supine with the head turned toward the affected side to allow drainage away from the unaffected eye and to facilitate continuous irrigation. Proper positioning ensures effective removal of the irritant and prevents contamination of the other eye. C. Continuing irrigation until the tonometry reading is greater than 21 mm Hg is incorrect because intraocular pressure measurement is not the criterion for stopping irrigation. The priority is normalization of ocular pH, not intraocular pressure values. Irrigation continues until the eye is thoroughly decontaminated and pH is stabilized, regardless of tonometry readings. D. Using 0.9% sodium chloride solution is appropriate because it is an isotonic, non-irritating fluid that effectively dilutes and removes chemical substances from the eye. It helps flush out the irritant while minimizing additional tissue injury. Immediate and continuous irrigation with normal saline is the standard emergency treatment for chemical eye exposures.