Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Nov 1976
Office treatment of eye injury. 2. Injury from sharp instruments or blunt trauma.
Eye injuries caused by sharp instruments range from superficial scratches of the corneal epithelium to serious lacerations of the globe of the eye. Scratches, conjunctival lacerations, and some eyelid lacerations can be dealth with by the primary physician in the office, but damage to the globe requires immediate referral to an ophthalmologist. ⋯ The primary physician may be the first to examine a patient with serious head injury. For future reference the status of each eye should be carefully documented as soon as possible after injury.
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Evaluation of the acid-base status of the body requires measurement of bicarbonate (total carbon dioxide) concentration, pH, and partial pressure of CO2 in arterial blood. Calculation of standard bicarbonate and base excess or deficit is not necessary. The normal concentration of free hydrogen ions (H+) is approximately 40 millimoles/liter, which is equivalent to a pH of 7.4. ⋯ Management consists of treatment of the cause of hypoventilation. Respiratory alkalosis is due to hyperventilation. Treatment requires identification and correction of the cause of hyperventilation.