Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

In a patient with ciliary flush, which condition is NOT a differential diagnosis?

1. Glaucoma

2. Iritis

3. Keratitis

4. Allergic conjunctivitis

The correct answer is: Allergic conjunctivitis

Ciliary flush refers to redness that is localized around the cornea, indicating potential eye pathology. It is important to identify conditions that may present with this symptom accurately. In conditions such as glaucoma, iritis, and keratitis, ciliary flush is often a significant clinical finding. Glaucoma can cause increased intraocular pressure that leads to a characteristic redness around the iris. Iritis, or anterior uveitis, typically presents with ciliary flush due to inflammation of the iris and ciliary body. Keratitis, which involves inflammation of the cornea, frequently manifests with ciliary injection as the inflammation affects the surrounding tissues. On the other hand, allergic conjunctivitis typically presents with generalized conjunctival redness rather than the localized ciliary flush. This condition is primarily an allergic reaction affecting the conjunctiva rather than inflammation that involves the deeper structures of the eye. As such, it does not usually exhibit the ciliary flush associated with other conditions like glaucoma, iritis, and keratitis. Therefore, allergic conjunctivitis is the condition that is not considered in the differential diagnosis for ciliary flush.