UNIT 3 Chapter 42 SENSORY: Concepts of Care With Eye and Vision Cataract, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Retinal Detachment Flashcards
What is Cataract and what are the signs and symptoms?
-gradual loss of vision
-blurred vision
-decreased color perception
-diplopia
-reduced visual acquity
-white/cloudy pupil
-*Halos visible especially when looking at a light during night-time driving
Age is important because cataracts are most prevalent in the older adult. Ask about these other predisposing factors
Earlysigns and symptoms of cataracts are slightly blurred vision and decreased color perception. At first the patient may think that his or her glasses are smudged, or contacts are not fi ing correctly. As lens cloudiness continues, blurred and/or double vision occurs and the patient may have difficulty with ADLs.
- The nurse is teaching about signs and symptoms of cataracts. Which change would the nurse emphasize as possibly indicating beginning cataract formation?
a. Diplopia
b. Cloudy pupil
c. Loss of peripheral vision
d. Blurred vision
ANS: D
A cloudy pupil is a sign of late cataracts and loss of peripheral vision is more common in clients who have glaucoma. Diplopia occurs with a number of neurologic diseases. Blurred vision is the earliest sign that the lens of the eye is undergoing changes.
Risk factors for cataract
- Recent or past trauma to the eye
- Exposure to radioactive materials, x-rays, or UV light
- Prolonged use of corticosteroids, chlorpromazine, or beta blockers * Presence of intraocular disease (e.g., recurrent uveitis)
- Presence of systemic disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus,
hypoparathyroidism, hypertension) - Previous cataract, or family history of cataracts * History of smoking
- The caregiver of a patient with macular degeneration. The patients caregiver becomes
increasingly is frustrated because of food spills on the patients clothing. Which explanation
should help the caregiver understand what the patient is experiencing?
a. The patients vision is blurred.
b. There is total blindness in one eye occurring.
c. The central vision is gone and only peripheral vision remains.
d. There are black dots in the field of vision that cause confusion.
c. The central vision is gone and only peripheral vision remains.
12.A patient with glaucoma is prescribed pilocarpine 1% eye drops every 6 hours. What outcome should the nurse expect from this medication?
a. Reduction of inflammation of the iris and choroids
b. Prevention of dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva
c. Dilation of the pupil by paralyzing the ciliary muscle
d. Promotion of drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye
d. Promotion of drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye
Health Promotion and Prevention for Cataracts
Although most cases of cataracts in North America are age related, the onset of cataract formation occurs earlier with heavy sun exposure or exposure to other sources of ultraviolet (UV) light.
Teach adults to reduce the risk for cataracts by wearing sunglasses that limit exposure to UV light whenever they are outdoors in the daytime.
Cataracts also may result from direct eye injury. Urge adults to wear eye and head protection during sports, such as baseball, or any activity that increases the risk for the eye being hit.
Individuals who smoke are at higher risk for development of cataracts versus nonsmokers (Boyd, 2020).
Which of the following is an early sign of Cataracts
A. Blurry vision
B. Loss of peripheral fields
C. Loss of central fields
D. Hypoxia
A. Blurry vision
Early signs and symptoms of cataracts are slightly blurred vision and decreased color perception. At first the patient may think that his or her glasses are smudged, or contacts are not fi ing correctly.
Should a patient be taking any medication that affects blood clotting?
NO
Ask whether the patient takes any drugs that affect blood clott ing, such as aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, and dabigatran. Communicate this information to the surgeon because, for some patients, these drugs may need to be discontinued before cataract surgery.
After Cataract surgery should a patient do activities increase Intraocular pressure?
A. Yes
B. NO
B. NO
- Bending from the waist
- Lifting objects weighing more than 10 lb.
- Sneezing, coughing
- Blowing the nose
- Straining to have a bowel movement
- Vomiting
- Having sexual intercourse
- Keeping the head in a dependent position
- Wearing tight shirt collars
Which of the following findings should a patient NOT expect immediately after cataract surgery?
A. Bloodshot eye
B. Mild itching
C. Blurred vision
D. bruising
D. bruising
Remind the patient that mild eye itching is normal, as is a “bloodshot appearance.” The eyelid may be slightly swollen. However, significant swelling or bruising is abnormal. Cool compresses may be beneficial. Discomfort at the site is controlled with acetaminophen or acetaminophen with oxycodone as prescribed. Aspirin is avoided because of its effects on blood clott ing.
- Sharp, sudden pain in the eye
- Bleeding or increased discharge from the eye
- Green or yellow, thick drainage from the eye
- Eyelid swelling of the eye
- Reappearance of a bloodshot sclera after the initial appearance has
cleared - Decreased vision in the eye that had surgery
- Flashes of light or floating shapes seen in the eye
Post-Operative Teaching for pt’s after Cataract surgery
Immediately after surgery, antibiotic and steroid ointments are instilled. The patient is usually discharged within an hour after surgery, after stabilization and monitoring.
Instruct him or her to wear dark glasses outdoors or in brightly lit environments until the pupil responds to light. Teach the patient and family members how to instill the prescribed eyedrops. Help them create a wri en schedule for the timing and the order of eyedrops administration.
Remind the patient that vision in that eye will be blurred and to not drive or operate heavy machinery until the ointment is removed. Stress the importance of keeping all follow-up appointments.
Infection is a potential and serious complication. Teach the patient and family to observe for increasing eye redness, a decrease in vision, or an increase in tears and photophobia.
Creamy white, dry, crusty drainage on the eyelids and lashes is normal.
However, yellow or green drainage indicates infection and must be reported. Stress the importance of proper handwashing to reduce the potential for infection.
Post-operative antibiotics and anti-inflammatories
* Have patient wear dark glasses until pupils react to light again
* Wear patch to prevent rubbing of eye
* Avoid activities that increase intraocular pressur
What amount of time after cataract surgery will the patient get best vision?
A. 1 week after surgery
B. 4-6 weeks after surgery
C. 1-2 weeks after surgery
D. 30-60 minutes post op
B. 4-6 weeks after surgery
Patients usually experience a dramatic improvement in vision within a day of surgery. Remind them that final best vision will not occur until 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
Which client statement affirms that nurse teaching about instillation of multiple different eyedrops has been effective? Select all that apply.
A. “It will be very easy for me to instill all of the drops at one time.”
B. “A schedule will help me remember when to instill the eyedrops.”
C. “If I have trouble instilling the drops, there are devices that can be
helpful.”
D. “I can label the eyedrops by color to help me easily distinguish
which one is which.”
E. “I will not touch the droppers to my eyes as this can cause contamination and infection.”
B,C,D,E
Are Post-Op eye drops important for a pt who has just gone through Cataract Surgery?
A. Yes
B. No
A. Yes
To achieve best results of cataract removal, the patient must be taught to closely adhere to the eyedrop regimen after surgery. Providing the patient or family with accurate information and demonstration of needed skills are nursing priorities.
When are pt who has just gone through cataract surgery usually discharged?
A. Same day
B. 15 days
C. 20 days
D. 1 month
A. Same day
Because the patient is usually discharged within an hour after cataract surgery, nursing interventions focus on helping the patient and family plan the eyedrop schedule and daily home eye examination.
EYE PATCH IMPORTANT
Remind the patient to avoid activities that can increase IOP (see Table 42.5). Some patients are prescribed to wear a light eye patch at night to prevent accidental rubbing. Instruct the patient to avoid ge ing water in the eye for 3 to 7 days after surgery.
- The nurse is teaching a client about cataract surgery. Which statement would the nurse include as part of preoperative preparation?
a. You will receive general anesthesia for the surgical procedure.
b. You will be in the hospital for only 1 to 2 days if everything goes as expected.
c. You will need to put several types of eyedrops in your eyes before and after surgery.
d. You will be on bedrest for about a week after the surgical procedure.
ANS: C
Cataract surgery is done as an ambulatory care procedure and the client is not hospitalized, does not receive general anesthesia, and does not need to be on bedrest postoperatively.
- A client’s intraocular pressure (IOP) is 28 mm Hg. What action would the nurse anticipate?
a. Educate the client on corneal transplantation.
b. Facilitate scheduling the eye surgery.
c. Teach about drugs for glaucoma.
d. Refer the patient to local Braille classes.
ANS: C
This increased IOP indicates glaucoma. The nurse9s main responsibility is teaching the client about drug therapy. Corneal transplantation is not used in glaucoma. Eye surgery is not indicated at this time. Braille classes are also not indicated at this time.
NORMAL IOP IS 10-20 measured by tonometry
What is Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders resulting in increased intraocular pressure (IOP).
Definition
* The eye normally drains intraocular
fluid…with glaucoma the drainage is
disrupted
Open and Closed (Open is more common
OVERFLOW OF FLUID AROUND THE EYE WITH MINIMAL OR NO DRAINAGE