NCLEX Review Guide: Pediatric Conjunctivitis

Understanding Conjunctivitis in Children

• Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva (thin membrane covering the eye and inner eyelid). In children, it's commonly caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, or allergic reactions.
• Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and often accompanies upper respiratory infections, while bacterial conjunctivitis produces thick, purulent discharge that may cause eyelids to stick together.

Signs and Symptoms

• Children present with red, irritated eyes with discharge that varies by causative agent. Parents often report child waking with "crusty" or "stuck" eyelids.
• Assess for photophobia, severe pain, or vision changes which may indicate more serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention.

Treatment Approaches

1. Perform thorough hand hygiene before and after eye care
2. Clean discharge from eyes using separate, clean washcloths for each eye
3. Administer prescribed medications (antibiotics for bacterial, supportive care for viral)
4. Teach proper medication administration technique to parents
5. Implement isolation precautions to prevent transmission

Teaching Points

• Educate families about proper hand hygiene, not sharing towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup to prevent spread and reinfection.
• Teach parents to recognize signs of worsening condition such as increased pain, vision changes, or fever that warrant immediate medical attention.

• ☐ Can I differentiate between bacterial, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis?
• ☐ Do I know proper eye care techniques and infection control measures?
• ☐ Can I teach families about home care and when to seek medical attention?
• ☐ Do I understand when antibiotics are indicated vs. supportive care?