Ch 16 Assessing Eyes PrepU
A nurse examines a client's retina during the ophthalmic examination and notices light-colored spots on the retinal background. The nurse should ask the client about a history of what disease process? Anemia Renal insufficiency Diabetes Retinal detachment
Diabetes Explanation: Exudates appear as light-colored spots on the retinal background and occur in individuals with diabetes or hypertension. Anemia, renal insufficiency, and retinal detachment do not cause this appearance on the retina.
Why is it important to ask the client regarding discharge or drainage from the eyes? Discharge is associated with inflammation or infection Discharge is associated with glaucoma Discharge is associated with presbyopia Discharge is associated with a detached retina
Discharge is associated with inflammation or infection Explanation: Discharge is associated with inflammation or infection. Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve that involves loss of retinal ganglion cells. With aging, the ability of the lens to accommodate decreases. Near vision is subsequently impaired, and thus older adults need reading glasses. This is presbyopia. Discharge is not an indication of a detached retina.
When performing the cover test, a nurse notices that the client's left eye turns outward. How should the nurse document this finding in the client's record? Exotropia Esotropia Strabismus Presbyopia
Exotropia Explanation: With the cover test, the eyes of the client should remain fixed straight ahead. If the covered eye moves when uncovered to reestablish focus, it is abnormal. If the eye turns outward it is called exotropia. If the uncovered eye turns inward, it is called esotropia. Strabismus is constant malalignment of the eyes. Presbyopia is impaired near vision.
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? Retinoblastoma Strabismus Retinitis pigmentosa Glaucoma
Glaucoma Explation: Glaucoma in a first-degree relative increases the client's risk for the same problem two to three times. Retinoblastoma can be inherited from either parent but does not have increased incidence if a first-degree relative has the disease. Retinitis pigmentosa is also a genetic disease, but a client's risk of the disease is not increased if a first-degree relative is affected. Strabismus is not genetic in nature.
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 Sit the client in front of the examiner, extend one arm, and slowly move one finger upward Tell the client to remove glasses, if present, and read the Snellen card using both eyes Place the client 20 feet from the Snellen chart and record the smallest line the client can read
Have the client hold the Jaeger card 14 inches from the face and read with one eye at a time Explanation: Near vision is tested with a Jaeger card, Snellen card, or comparable card), held 14 inches from the face. Have the client cover one eye with an opaque card before reading from top to bottom. Sitting the client in front of the examiner, extending one arm, and slowly move one finger upward until it is seen by both the client and the examiner is a test for gross peripheral vision. If the client wears glasses, they should be left on for the test. Placing the client 20 feet from the chart and record the smallest line the client can read is the test for distant acuity.
A client presents to the emergency department after being hit in the head with a baseball bat during a game. The nurse should assess for which condition? Hyphema Blepharitis Chalazion Iris nevus
Hyphema Explanation: Hyphema is blood in the anterior chamber of the eye, usually caused by blunt trauma. Blepharitis is inflammation of the margin of the eyelid. Chalazion is a cyst in the eyelid. Iris nevus is a rare condition affecting one eye. The latter 3 conditions are not commonly attributed to blunt force trauma to the head as hyphema is.
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? Place the chart 20 feet away from the client on the wall Instruct the client to hold the chart away from the body at arm's length Instruct the client hold the chart 14 inches from the eyes Place the chart on a table 17 inches away from the client
Instruct the client hold the chart 14 inches from the eyes Explanation: To test near visual acuity, the nurse should have the client hold the chart 14 inches from the eyes. The Snellen chart should be kept at eye level, 20 feet away on the wall when testing for distant vision. An arms length is an arbitrary length depending on the size of the client and is not an accurate method for testing. The chart should not be placed on a table 17 inches away from the client.
A client frequently experiences dry, irritated eyes. These findings are consistent with a problem in what part of the eye? Vitreous chamber Aqueous chamber Lacrimal apparatus Sinus
Lacrimal apparatus Explanation: The lacrimal apparatus (which consists of the lacrimal gland, punctum, lacrimal sac, and nasolacrimal duct) protects and lubricates the cornea and conjunctiva by producing and draining tears.
When examining the eye with an ophthalmoscope, where would the nurse look to visualize the optic disc? Medially toward the nose Laterally toward the ear Upward toward the forehead Downward toward the chin
Medially toward the nose Explanation: Follow the blood vessels as they get wider. Follow the vessels medially toward the nose and look for the round yellowish orange structure which is the optic disc.
A client presents to the clinic reporting sudden visual loss in the left eye. What is the nurse's priority action? Assess cranial nerve function. Notify the healthcare provider immediately. Ask the client if protective eyewear was worn. Perform the Allen test and report the findings urgently.
Notify the healthcare provider immediately. Explanation: Sudden visual loss is an emergency and should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider. Wearing protective eyewear is not a priority, though whether the client wore protective eyewear is relevant information. Assessing cranial nerve function and vision testing are not realistically possible when the client suffers sudden visual loss.
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 Shining a light into one eye while covering the other eye with an opaque card Have the client state when they see the nurse's finger enter their peripheral vision field. Comparing the difference between the client's dilated pupil and a constricted pupil
Observing the eye's reaction when a light is shone into the opposite eye Explanation: The nurse assesses consensual response at the same time as direct response by shining a light obliquely into one eye and observing the pupillary reaction in the opposite eye. This does not involve a comparison between maximum and minimum pupil size, however. Neither eye is covered, and peripheral vision is not relevant to this assessment.
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? Document the findings in the client's record Perform both the distant and near visual acuity tests Test the pupils for direct and consensual reaction to light Obtain a referral to the ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam
Perform both the distant and near visual acuity tests Explanation: The first thing the nurse should do is perform both the distant and near visual acuity exams to assess for loss of far and near vision. Testing the pupil is important to assess reaction to light. The findings must be documented in the client's record. If abnormalities are found upon assessment, the client should be referred for a complete eye examination.
The nurse observes a middle-aged colleague fully extending her arm to read the label on a vial of medication. Which of the following age-related changes is the nurse likely to have observed? Presbyopia Cataract formation Loss of convergence Macular degeneration
Presbyopia Explanation: Presbyopia denotes an age-related deficit in close vision. It is less likely that cataracts, macular degeneration, or loss of convergence underlie the colleague's visual changes.
A client is assigned a visual acuity of 20/100 in her left eye. Which of the following is true? She obtains a 20% correct score at 100 feet. She can accurately name 20% of the letters at 20 feet. She can see at 20 feet what a normal person could see at 100 feet. She can see at 100 feet what a normal person could see at 20 feet.
She can see at 20 feet what a normal person could see at 100 feet. Explanation: The denominator of an acuity score represents the line on the chart the client can read. In the example above, the client could read the larger letters corresponding with what a normal person could see at 100 feet.
A client is admitted to the health care facility after sustaining a crushing injury to the right eye. The nurse should anticipate abnormal results for which vision test? Accommodation Six cardinal positions of gaze Pupillary reaction to light Position and alignment of the eyeballs
Six cardinal positions of gaze Explanation: Six cardinal positions of gaze test eye muscle strength and cranial nerve function. With an injury to the right eye, the client may experience weakness of the eye muscles or a dysfunction of the cranial nerve that innervates the right eye. Accommodation tests the ability of the eyes to focus from far to near. Pupillary reaction to light tests the pupil reaction and not muscle function. Position of the eyeballs should not be affected by an injury.
The nurse is caring for a 63-year-old client who can neither read nor speak English. What would be the appropriate chart to use to assess this client's vision? Allen Snellen E Ishihara PERRLA
Snellen E Explanation: The Snellen E chart can be used for people who cannot read or speak English.
As part of a physical assessment, the nurse performs the confrontation test to assess the client's peripheral vision. Which test result should a nurse recognize as indicating normal peripheral vision for a client using the confrontation test? Client's consensual pupil constricts in response to indirect light. Eyes converge on an object as it is moved towards the nose. Direct light shown into the client's pupils results in constriction. The client and the examiner see the examiner's finger at the same time.
The client and the examiner see the examiner's finger at the same time. Explanation: The observation that the client and examiner see the examiner's finger at the same time indicates normal peripheral vision. The client not seeing the examiner's finger or a delay in seeing it indicates reduced peripheral vision. Client's consensual pupils constricting in response to indirect light as well as direct light shown into the client's pupils resulting in constriction are observed when testing the pupils for reaction to light. Eyes converging on an object as it is moved towards the nose is a normal result for accommodation.
What is the open space between the eyelids called? The palpebral fissure The limbus The lacrimal apparatus The eyeball
The palpebral fissure Explanation: The palpebral fissure is the almond-shaped open space between the eyelids. The limbus is the border of the cornea and the sclera. The eyeball is the round part of the eye within the eyelids and socket. The lacrimal apparatus protects and lubricates the cornea and conjunctiva by producing and draining tears.
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? This is normal vision for a client over 65. The client will need a new pair of glasses. These findings indicate the client is legally blind. The client must have developed macular degeneration.
These findings indicate the client is legally blind. Explanation: A client is considered legally blind when vision in the better eye with corrective lenses is 20/200 or less. In this case the client has to be only 20 feet away from an object to see it when others can see the same object from 200 feet. The Snellen chart is used to test distant visual acuity; the higher the second number the more impaired the vision. Even though vision does decrease as people age, 20/200 is not a normal finding. The client may need a new pair of glasses but this is not the best response. Because the client is an older adult and diabetic, they are at higher risk for macular degeneration, but this is not the best option. Macular degeneration causes a loss of central vision; it does not necessarily affect distant visual acuity.
The functional reflex that allows the eyes to focus on near objects is termed pupillary reflex. accommodation. refraction. indirect reflex.
accommodation. Explanation: Accommodation is a functional reflex allowing the eyes to focus on near objects. This is accomplished through movement of the ciliary muscles, causing an increase in the curvature of the lens.
The conjunctiva of the eye is divided into the palpebral portion and the canthus portion. intraocular portion. nasolacrimal portion. bulbar portion.
bulbar portion. Explanation: The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent, continuous membrane that is divided into two portions: a palpebral and a bulbar portion. The palpebral conjunctiva lines the inside of the eyelids, and the bulbar conjunctiva covers most of the anterior eye, merging with the cornea at the limbus.
The chambers of the eye contain aqueous humor, which helps to maintain intraocular pressure and transmit light rays. maintain the retinal vessels. change refractory of the lens. cleanse the cornea and the lens.
cleanse the cornea and the lens. Explanation: Aqueous humor helps to cleanse and nourish the cornea and lens as well as maintain intraocular pressure.
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? direct light response present in left eye pupils equal and react to accommodation consensual light response present in left eye consensual light response present in right eye
consensual light response present in left eye Explanation: The consensual light response occurs when one eye is exposed to light and the pupil of the other eye constricts. Since the light was shined in the right eye, the left pupil constricted. The left eye was not exposed to direct light. There is not enough information to determine if the pupils are equal or reacting to 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 refer the client for further evaluation. examine the client for other signs of glaucoma. ask the client if there is a genetic history of blindness. document the findings in the client's records.
document the findings in the client's records. Explanation: Validate the eye assessment data that you have collected. This is necessary to verify that the data are reliable and accurate. Document the assessment data following the health care facility or agency policy.
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. strabismus. phoria. exotropia.
esotropia. Explanation: Esotropia is an inward turn of the eye.
An adult client tells the nurse that her peripheral vision is not what it used to be and she has a blind spot in her left eye. The nurse should refer the client for evaluation of possible glaucoma. increased intracranial pressure. bacterial infection. migraine headaches.
glaucoma. Explanation: A scotoma is a blind spot that is surrounded by either normal or slightly diminished peripheral vision. It may be from glaucoma.
An adult client visits the clinic and tells the nurse that she has had a sudden change in her vision. The nurse should explain to the client that sudden changes in vision are often associated with diabetes. the aging process. hypertension. head trauma.
head trauma. Explanation: Sudden changes in vision are associated with acute problems such as head trauma or increased intracranial pressure.
An older client asks why vision is not as sharp as it used to be when the eyes are focused forward. What should the nurse realize this client is describing? cataracts glaucoma detached retina macular degeneration
macular degeneration Explanation: Macular degeneration causes a loss of central vision. Risk factors for macular degeneration are age, smoking history, obesity, family history, and female gender. Cataracts are characterized by cloudiness of the eye lenses. Glaucoma is an increase in intraocular pressure that places pressure on eye structures and affecting vision. A detached retina is the sudden loss of vision in one eye. This health problem may be precipitated by the appearance of blind spots.
Photoreceptors of the eye are located in the eye's ciliary body. lens. retina. pupil.
retina. Explanation: The innermost layer, the retina, extends only to the ciliary body anteriorly. It receives visual stimuli and sends it to the brain. The retina consists of numerous layers of nerve cells, including the cells commonly called rods and cones. These specialized nerve cells are often referred to as "photoreceptors" because they are responsive to light
A 52-year-old client with myopia calls the ophthalmology clinic very upset. She tells the nurse, "I keep seeing semi-clear spots floating across my vision. What is wrong with me?" What would be the most appropiate response by the nurse? "It is not an uncommon finding in people older than 40 years for this to happen. They are called 'floaters'." "Please come into the clinic right away so we can see what is wrong." "Because it is almost 5 o'clock, please go to the emergency department right away. This sounds very serious." "I have an opening tomorrow at 2 in the afternoon. Can you come in then?"
"It is not an uncommon finding in people older than 40 years for this to happen. They are called 'floaters'." Explanation: Floaters (translucent specks that drift across the visual field) are common in people older than 40 years of age and nearsighted clients; no additional follow-up is needed.
Which vision acuity reading indicates blindness? 20/20 20/200 20/40 20/100
20/200 Explanation: The reading of 20/200 on a vision acuity test indicates blindness. The reading of 20/20 is considered normal vision. This means that the client being tested can distinguish what a person with normal vision can distinguish from 20 feet away. The top or first number is always 20, indicating the distance from the client to the chart. The bottom or second number refers to the last full line the client could read. The higher the second number, the poorer the vision. 20/40 and 20/100 also denote poor vision.
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? 20/100 or less 20/200 or less 20/300 or less 20/400 or less
20/200 or less Explanation: In the United States, a person is usually considered legally blind when vision in the better eye, corrected by glasses, is 20/200 or less.
The nurse is inspecting the cornea and lens of an elderly client and notices a white arc around the limbus of the client's eye. The nurse recognizes this condition, common in older adults, as which of the following? Arcus senilis Presbyopia Ectropion Myopia
Arcus senilis Explanation: Arcus senilis, a normal condition in older clients, appears as a white arc around the limbus. The condition has no effect on vision. Presbyopia, which is impaired near vision, is caused by decreased accommodation and is a common condition in clients over 45 years of age. Ectropion is when the lower eyelids evert, causing exposure and drying of the conjunctiva. This is a normal finding in the older client. Myopia is impaired far vision.
Which technique by the nurse demonstrates proper use of the ophthalmoscope? Uses right eye to examine the client's left eye Moves the scope around so the entire optic disk may be seen Approaches the client directly in front of the pupil Asks the client to fix the gaze upon an object and look straight ahead
Asks the client to fix the gaze upon an object and look straight ahead Explanation: After turning on the ophthalmoscope, the nurse should ask the client to gaze straight ahead and slightly upward. Ask the client to remove glasses but keep contact lens in place. The nurse should use the right eye to examine the right eye & left eye to examine the client's left eye. This allows the nurse to get as close as possible to the client's eye. Begin about 10-15 inches from the client at a 15 degree angle. The nurse should keep the ophthalmoscope still & ask the client to look into the light to view the fovea and macula.
A client performs the test for distant visual acuity and scores 20/50. How should the nurse most accurately interpret this finding? Client did not wear his glasses for this test and therefore it is not accurate. When 50 feet from the chart, the client can see better than a person standing at 20 feet. Client can read the 20/50 line correctly and two other letters on the line above. At 20 feet from the chart, the client sees what a person with good vision can see at 50 feet.
At 20 feet from the chart, the client sees what a person with good vision can see at 50 feet. Explanation: The Snellen chart tests distant visual acuity by seeing how far the client can read the letters standing 20 feet from the chart. The top number is how far the client is from the chart and the bottom number refers to the last line the client can read. A reading of 20/50 means the client sees at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 50 feet. The minus number is the number of letters missed on the last line the client can distinguish.
A nurse is examining the eyes of a client who has complained of having a feeling of a foreign body in his eye. The nurse examines the thin, transparent, continuous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers most of the anterior eye. The nurse recognizes this membrane as which of the following? Retina Sclera Cornea Conjunctiva
Conjunctiva Explanation: The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent, continuous membrane that is divided into two portions: a palpebral and a bulbar portion. The palpebral conjunctiva lines the inside of the eyelids, and the bulbar conjunctiva covers most of the anterior eye, merging with the cornea at the limbus. The innermost layer, the retina, extends only to the ciliary body anteriorly. It receives visual stimuli and sends them to the brain. The sclera is a dense, protective, white covering that physically supports the internal structures of the eye. The transparent cornea permits the entrance of light, which passes through the lens to the retina.
While the nurse examines a client's pupillary response to light in the right eye, the pupil in the left eye is constricted. What does this finding suggest to the nurse? Myopia Presbyopia Direct reaction Consensual reaction
Consensual reaction Explanation: The consensual reaction is when the pupil constricts in the opposite eye. Myopia is impaired far vision. Presbyopia is impaired near vision often seen in middle-aged and older clients. The direct reaction is when the pupil constricts in the same eye.
