An extruded eyeball should be covered with __________________________.

When an eyeball has been extruded, or proptosed, it is critical to protect the delicate tissue and prevent further injury or exposure to infection. Covering the protruding eye with a moist dressing serves several important purposes. First, it helps to keep the eye tissues hydrated, which is essential for cell viability and can reduce damage. The moisture in the dressing minimizes the risk of the tissues drying out, which could lead to tissue necrosis.

Additionally, using a protective cup offers physical protection to the eye by providing a barrier against external elements and potential trauma during transport to medical assistance. This combination of a moist dressing and a protective covering helps stabilize the injury until further medical treatment can be provided.

The other options do not offer the same level of care and protection as the moist dressing and protective cup. A tensor bandage is designed for compressing and holding dressings in place, which is not suitable for an extruded eye as it could cause additional pressure or damage. An Esmarch bandage, typically used for limb immobilization and tourniquet purposes, is not appropriate for ocular injuries. Finally, using a contact lens is inappropriate and could exacerbate the injury or lead to infection. Therefore, the combination of a moist dressing and a protective