Chronic Illness NCLEX Questions Related

Review Chronic Illness NCLEX Questions related questions and content

Which of the following findings would be most indicative of retinoblastoma for an 18-month old child?

  • A. Orbital inflammation of the right eye and head tilt when standing.
  • B. Cat's eye reflex and yellow discharge from the left eye.
  • C. Leukokoria and hyphema noted for the right eye.
  • D. Strabismus in the left eye and light sensitivity in the opposite eye.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Retinoblastoma, a retinal cancer in young children, commonly presents with leukokoria (white pupil reflection) and hyphema (blood in the anterior eye chamber), making these findings most indicative due to tumor effects on retinal light reflection and vascular fragility. Orbital inflammation and head tilt suggest brain tumors or orbital cellulitis, not retinoblastoma's typical intraocular focus. Cat's eye reflex (leukokoria) fits, but yellow discharge points to infection (e.g., conjunctivitis), not cancer. Strabismus and light sensitivity may occur in retinoblastoma but are less specific strabismus from muscle imbalance and sensitivity from inflammation lacking hyphema's diagnostic weight. Nurses spotting leukokoria and hyphema trigger urgent ophthalmology referral, critical in pediatric oncology for early detection and vision-saving or life-saving intervention in this age group.