Chapter 16: Assessing Eyes

While assessing the eye of an adult client, the nurse observes an inward turning of the client's left eye. The nurse should document the client's

esotropia.

Which of the following assessment findings suggests a problem with the client's cranial nerves?

A client's extraocular movements are asymmetrical and she complains of diplopia.

A client presents to a primary care office with a complaint of double vision (diplopia). On questioning, the client claims to have not suffered any head injuries. Which of the following underlying conditions should the nurse most suspect in this client?

Brain tumor

A light is pointed at a client's pupil, which then contracts. It is also noted that the other pupil contracts as well, though it is not exposed to bright light. Which of the following terms describes this latter phenomenon?

Consensual reaction

Which action by the nurse indicates the appropriate use of an ophthalmoscope?

Employ the right eye to examine the client's right eye

A client frequently experiences dry, irritated eyes. These findings are consistent with a problem in what part of the eye?

Lacrimal apparatus

When testing the near reaction, an expected finding includes which of the following?

Pupillary constriction on near gaze; dilation on distant gaze

A client presents to the health care clinic and reports pain in the eyes when working on the computer for long periods of time. The client states that he almost ran into a parked car yesterday because he misjudged the distance from the bumper of his own car. He works for a computer software company and has noticed he is experiencing difficulty reading the manuals that accompany the software he installs for companies. What nursing diagnosis can the nurse confirm based on this data?

Risk for Injury

A client is assigned a visual acuity of 20/100 in her left eye. Which of the following is true?

She can see at 20 feet what a normal person could see at 100 feet.

A nurse performs the Snellen test on a client and obtains these results: OD 20/40, OS 20/30. What conclusion can the nurse make in regards to the client's vision based on these results?

The larger the bottom number, the worse the visual acuity.

How can a nurse accurately assess the distant visual acuity of a client who is non-English speaking?

Use a Snellen E chart to perform the examination

The nurse is assessing cranial nerves III, IV, and VI. Which instructions should the nurse provide to the client in order to perform this assessment?

"Follow my finger with only your eyes."

Which technique by the nurse demonstrates proper use of the ophthalmoscope?

Asks the client to fix the gaze upon an object and look straight ahead

The nurse selects the chart shown here to assess a client's vision. Which client characteristic caused the nurse to select this chart?

Does not speak English

A nurse begins the eye examination on a client who presents to the health care clinic for a routine examination. What is the correct action by the nurse to perform the test for near visual acuity?

Have the client hold the Jaeger card 14 inches from the face and read with one eye at a time

A nurse has completed the assessment of a client's direct pupillary response and is now assessing consensual response. This aspect of assessment should include which action?

Observing the eye's reaction when a light is shone into the opposite eye

A nurse notices a middle-aged client in the waiting room pick up a magazine to read while she waits to be seen. She opens the magazine and then extends her arms to move it further from her eyes. Which condition does the nurse most suspect in this client?

Presbyopia

A nurse assesses the vision of an older adult client with a long history of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. The nurse determines the client's vision with corrective lenses is 20/200. How should the nurse interpret these findings?

These findings indicate the client is legally blind

Which action by the nurse demonstrates correct assessment of the corneal reflex of a client during an eye examination?

Touch the cornea with a wisp of cotton

A teenager is brought to the clinic for a sports physical examination. The client states plans to play goalie on the community soccer team. What is the most important teaching opportunity presented for this client?

Use of safety equipment

The functional reflex that allows the eyes to focus on near objects is termed

accommodation.

The meibomian glands secrete

an oily substance to lubricate the eyes.

The conjunctiva of the eye is divided into the palpebral portion and the

bulbar portion.

the nurse notes that the pupil of a client's left eye constricts when a light is shined into the right eye. How should the nurse document this finding?

consensual light response present in left eye

The nurse has tested the near visual acuity of a 45-year-old client. The nurse explains to the client that the client has impaired near vision and discusses a possible reason for the condition. The nurse determines that the client has understood the instructions when the client says that presbyopia is usually due to

decreased accommodation.

The nurse has tested an adult client's visual fields and determined that the temporal field is 90 degrees in both eyes. The nurse should

document the findings in the client's records.

A client shares that a first-degree relative has an eye problem, but they not sure what the diagnosis is. What major eye problem will the nurse suggest screening the client for?

glaucoma

An adult client visits the clinic and tells the nurse that he has had excessive tearing in his left eye. The nurse should assess the client's eye for

lacrimal obstruction.

A client complains of feeling like he is slowly losing his central vision. The nurse knows this symptom could represent

macular degeneration

he optic nerves from each eyeball cross at the

optic chiasma.

A 12-year-old presents to the clinic with his father for evaluation of a painful lump in the left eye. It started this morning. The client denies any trauma or injury. There is no visual disturbance. Upon physical examination, there is a red raised area at the margin of the eyelid that is tender to palpation; no tearing occurs with palpation of the lesion. Based on this description, what is the most likely diagnosis?

stye

The nurse notes that the ophthalmologist suspects death of the optic nerve. When looking into the eye, the nurse would expect to see what color if the disc is dead?

white

A client recently diagnosed with Grave's diseases exhibits protruded eyeballs. Which eye care instruction should the nurse discuss with this client?

"Wear an eyepatch and use moisturizing eye drops."

A 29-year-old physical therapist presents for evaluation of an eyelid problem. On observation, the right eyeball appears to be protruding forward. Based on this description, what is the most likely diagnosis?

Exophthalmos

A middle-aged client reports difficulty in reading. Which action by the nurse is appropriate to test near visual acuity using a Jaeger reading card?

Instruct the client hold the chart 14 inches from the eyes

A client in the clinic where you work is considered legally blind. The nurse knows that this means the vision in his better eye, corrected by glasses, is what?

20/200 or less

On a health history, a client reports no visual disturbances, last eye exam being 2 years ago, and not wearing glasses. The nurse notices that the client squints when signing the consent for treatment form and holds the paper close to the face. What should the nurse do next?

Perform both the distant and near visual acuity tests