Chapter 42: Drugs Used to Treat Glaucoma and Other Eye Disorders

Which discharge instruction will the nurse include for a patient sent home from the clinic who is taking an adrenergic ophthalmic solution for an acute inflammation?

Avoid driving or operating machinery until blurring subsides.

Which is a potential serious adverse effect associated with mannitol (Osmitrol)?

Fluid overload

The nurse is preparing a patient for an ophthalmic examination. Which action occurs when the nurse instills eyedrops to produce mydriasis?

Extreme dilation of the pupil

What is the mechanism of action of osmotic agents when used to decrease IOP?

Increasing plasma osmolarity and drawing extracellular fluid into the blood

The nurse is educating a patient about a newly prescribed cholinergic agent. When relaying common adverse effects of this type of medication, the nurse will include information about (Select all that apply.)

a. conjunctival irritation. b. headache. ANS: A, B

What is the action of timolol maleate (Timoptic), a beta-adrenergic blocking agent?

Decreases the production of aqueous humor

Which medication is used to produce miosis following a diagnostic procedure?

Pilocarpine (Pilocar)

Which statement(s) about aqueous humor is/are true? (Select all that apply.)

a. Bathes and feeds the lens, posterior surface of the cornea, and iris c. Drains out of the eye through drainage channels located near the junction of the cornea and sclera e. Flows out of the canal of Schlemm into the venous system of the eye A, C, E

A patient recently diagnosed with glaucoma is to begin drug therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. For which assessment(s) would the nurse need to contact the health care provider? (Select all that apply.)

a. Electrolyte levels c. Allergy to sulfonamide ANS: A, C

What is the purpose of administering a cycloplegic agent? (Select all that apply.)

a. Facilitate examination of the eye b. Facilitate surgery on the eye d. Paralyze the ciliary muscle ANS: A, B, D

Which are important teaching points for the nurse to review with a patient recently diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma? (Select all that apply.)

a. The disease will cause damage to the optic disc if left untreated. c. Loss of peripheral vision is a common trigger for diagnosis. d. Total blindness may result if the glaucoma is not treated. ANS: A, C, D

What information will the nurse include when teaching the patient and family about postoperative care for a trabeculectomy? (Select all that apply.)

a. Use aseptic technique for all dressing changes and medication administration. c. Avoid heavy lifting. d. Redness in the eye, pain, and swelling are common occurrences after surgery. e. Avoid straining on defecation. ANS: A, C, D, E

A factory worker had a chemical inadvertently splashed into his right eye. An eyewash was used at the work site. Which nursing assessment(s) would be important to include? (Select all that apply.)

a. Visual acuity b. Presence of pain, blurred or halo vision, or lack of vision c. Type of chemical e. Presence of contacts or use of eyeglasses A, B, C, E

What information will the nurse include when instructing a patient on the correct method of instilling eyedrops? (Select all that apply.)

a. With an infection, prevent cross-contamination and use a separate source of medication and droppers for each eye. b. Wash hands before and after administration. c. Place the lid on the surface area as instructed to avoid contamination. d. Never touch the tip of the dropper or opening of the ointment container. A, B, C, D

The nurse is caring for a patient immediately following a right-sided trabeculectomy. When positioning this patient, the nurse will encourage a _____ position.

left side lying

The nurse is assisting with applanation tonometry on a patient at the ophthalmologist's office. The results indicate the patient's reading to be 15 mm Hg. The nurse interprets this result as _____ IOP.

normal

Which type of medication would be used to dilate the pupils before an eye examination?

Adrenergic agent