Retinal Artery Occlusion for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)

Adaptive Brain SIMCLEX Study Plan – 24 Jan 2026

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Outline

Retinal Artery Occlusion

Definition/ Etiology:

Vision loss caused by hypoperfusion secondary to sudden occlusion of the retinal artery

Emboli made up of

Cholesterol

Calcium

Platelet

Pathophysiology:

Retinal artery enters the optic nerve and supplies the retina. Occlusion due to clot formation mentioned above causes ischemia and eventual necrosis leading to vision loss.

Clinical Presentation:

Sudden, painless vision loss – most commonly in one eye

Hx of atherosclerotic disease

Collaborative Management:

Fundoscopic exam
CT head to r/o hemorrhage prior to treatment
Labs
BMP (glucose)
CBC (infection?)
PT/INR
PTT
ESR/CRP
Digital ocular massage
Hyperventilation to induce vasodilation
Thrombolytic therapy

Evaluation | Patient Monitoring | Education:

Monitor symptoms
Visual acuity
Outpatients follow up

Linchpins: (Key Points)

Sudden, painless vision loss
Monocular
Stroke of the eye

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Transcript

For more great CEN prep, got to the link below to purchase the “Emergency Nursing Examination Review” book by Dr. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio RN, PHD
https://greatnurses.com/

References:

Cugati, S., Varma, D. D., Chen, C. S., & Lee, A. W. (2013). Treatment options for central retinal artery occlusion. Current Treatment Options in Neurology, 15(1), 63-77
Farris, W., & Waymack, J. R. (2021). Central retinal artery occlusion. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.