Washington Master Esthetics Practice Exam

How long should the eyes be flushed in the event of an accident?

1. 5 to 10 minutes

2. 15 to 20 minutes

3. 30 to 35 minutes

4. 10 to 15 minutes

The correct answer is: 15 to 20 minutes

In the event of an eye exposure to a harmful substance, the appropriate action is to flush the eyes thoroughly to minimize damage and irritation. The recommended duration of 15 to 20 minutes provides ample time for the flushing process to effectively reduce any potential harm from the substance. This timeframe allows for continuous irrigation, helping to remove any chemicals or irritants that may linger on the surface of the eye. Flushing the eyes for this length of time is based on guidelines aimed at ensuring safety and promoting healing in such incidents. The process should involve using clean, running water or saline, ideally starting as soon as possible after the exposure occurs. This response would support both immediate relief and long-term eye health. The other durations listed are either too short to ensure thorough cleansing or unnecessarily prolonged for most incidents, which may not provide additional benefits. Thus, the recommended flush time of 15 to 20 minutes strikes the right balance between effectiveness and practicality.