Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment and Management of Patients with Eye and Vision Disorders Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment and Management of Patients with Eye and Vision Disorders related questions and content

A patient has just returned to the surgical floor after undergoing a retinal detachment repair. The postoperative orders specify that the patient should be kept in a prone position until otherwise ordered. What should the nurse do?

  • A. Call the physician and ask for the order to be confirmed.
  • B. Follow the order because this position will help keep the retinal repair intact.
  • C. Instruct the patient to maintain this position to prevent bleeding.
  • D. Reposition the patient after the first dressing change.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The prone position allows the gas bubble in pneumatic retinopexy to press against the retinal break, aiding reattachment. It does not prevent bleeding, and repositioning or confirmation is unnecessary.