A patient who presents for an eye examination is diagnosed as having a visual acuity of 20/40. The patient asks the nurse what these numbers specifically mean. What is a correct response by the nurse?
- A. A person whose vision is 20/40 can see an object from 40 feet away that a person with 20/20 vision can see from 20 feet away.
- B. A person whose vision is 20/40 can see an object from 20 feet away that a person with 20/20 vision can see from 40 feet away.
- C. A person whose vision is 20/40 can see an object from 40 inches away that a person with 20/20 vision can see from 20 inches away.
- D. A person whose vision is 20/40 can see an object from 20 inches away that a person with 20/20 vision can see from 40 inches away.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 20/40 vision means the patient sees at 20 feet what a person with 20/20 vision sees at 40 feet, indicating reduced acuity. The measurement uses feet, not inches.
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The nurse is providing health education to a patient newly diagnosed with glaucoma. The nurse teaches the patient that this disease has a familial tendency. The nurse should encourage the patients immediate family members to undergo clinical examinations how often?
- A. At least monthly
- B. At least once every 2 years
- C. At least once every 5 years
- D. At least once every 10 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glaucoma's familial tendency warrants family screening every 2 years for early detection. Monthly exams are excessive, and 5- or 10-year intervals may miss early signs.
A patient has informed the home health nurse that she has recently noticed distortions when she looks at the Amsler grid that she has mounted on her refrigerator. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Reassure the patient that this is an age-related change in vision.
- B. Arrange for the patient to have her visual acuity assessed.
- C. Arrange for the patient to be assessed for macular degeneration.
- D. Facilitate tonometry testing.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Amsler grid distortions suggest macular degeneration, requiring prompt ophthalmologic evaluation. They are not age-related, and visual acuity or tonometry tests are less relevant.
A patient with low vision has called the clinic and asked the nurse for help with acquiring some low-vision aids. What else can the nurse offer to help this patient manage his low vision?
- A. The patient uses OTC NSAIDs.
- B. The patient has a history of stroke.
- C. The patient has diabetes.
- D. The patient has Asian ancestry.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetes is a risk factor for glaucoma, which can worsen low vision. The nurse can offer education on managing diabetes to protect vision. NSAIDs, stroke, and Asian ancestry are not directly relevant.
A public health nurse is teaching a health promotion workshop that focuses on vision and eye health. What should this nurse cite as the most common causes of blindness and visual impairment among adults over the age of 40? Select all that apply.
- A. Diabetic retinopathy
- B. Trauma
- C. Macular degeneration
- D. Cytomegalovirus
- E. Glaucoma
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: Diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts are leading causes of blindness in adults over 40. Trauma and cytomegalovirus are less common.
Several residents of a long-term care facility have developed signs and symptoms of viral conjunctivitis. What is the most appropriate action of the nurse who oversees care in the facility?
- A. Arrange for the administration of prophylactic antibiotics to unaffected residents.
- B. Instill normal saline into the eyes of affected residents two to three times daily.
- C. Swab the conjunctiva of unaffected residents for culture and sensitivity testing.
- D. Isolate affected residents from residents who have not developed conjunctivitis.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Isolating affected residents prevents the spread of viral conjunctivitis. Antibiotics, saline flushes, and swabbing unaffected residents are ineffective or unnecessary.
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