If battery acid gets in the eyes, the FIRST action should be to

If battery acid gets in the eyes, the FIRST action should be to

• A. Flush eyes with cool water
• B. Rinse with soap and water
• C. Bandage the eye
• D. Ignore and wait

Answer: (A)

When chemical exposure to the eye occurs, the priority is to dilute and remove the harmful substance as quickly as possible to limit tissue damage. The first action should be flushing the eye with clean running water (cool water is fine) for several minutes, ideally at least 15 minutes, so that the acid is washed away from all surfaces of the eye. Keep the eye open during rinsing and, if possible, gently roll the eye to help water reach every area. If contact lenses are in place, remove them if it’s safe to do so while continuing to rinse. After irrigation, seek medical attention promptly because chemical burns can continue to cause damage even after the initial rinse. Do not rub the eye, and avoid bandaging the eye or waiting to see if symptoms worsen. Rinsing with soap and water is not preferred here because soap can irritate the eye and isn’t necessary for dilution, and ignoring the exposure is dangerous. The goal is immediate dilution and removal of the substance to minimize injury.

When chemical exposure to the eye occurs, the priority is to dilute and remove the harmful substance as quickly as possible to limit tissue damage. The first action should be flushing the eye with clean running water (cool water is fine) for several minutes, ideally at least 15 minutes, so that the acid is washed away from all surfaces of the eye. Keep the eye open during rinsing and, if possible, gently roll the eye to help water reach every area. If contact lenses are in place, remove them if it’s safe to do so while continuing to rinse.

After irrigation, seek medical attention promptly because chemical burns can continue to cause damage even after the initial rinse. Do not rub the eye, and avoid bandaging the eye or waiting to see if symptoms worsen. Rinsing with soap and water is not preferred here because soap can irritate the eye and isn’t necessary for dilution, and ignoring the exposure is dangerous. The goal is immediate dilution and removal of the substance to minimize injury.