NURS620 Exam Revision Questions and
Correct Detailed Answers
What are some differential diagnoses of red eye? - ANSWER conjunctivitis, hordeolum (stye),
glaucoma, iritis, corneal abrasions, or a subconjunctival hemorrhage.
Explain floaters (regarding visual disturbances). - ANSWER floaters are commonly caused by the
contraction of the vitreous humor, which is a common sequela of the aging process
(degenerative vitreous changes, or syneresis). Can also result from tear-film debris or from
material in the vitreous. Usually unilateral when looking at a bright background.
What is the significance of floaters? - ANSWER if they appear gradually and become less
noticeable over time then they're usually benign. If they appear suddenly and are bilateral then
that could be bad.
What is photopsia? - ANSWER flashing lights. It is the subjective sensation of sparks or
flashes of light induced by mechanical or electrical retinal stimulation.
What should you do if a patient presents with photopsia? - ANSWER evaluate the patient for
a retinal tear or detachment.
What might cause monocular photopsia? - ANSWER may occur secondary to cataracts, migraine
headaches, epilepsy, vertebral basilar insufficiency, retinitis, retinal hole, detachment of the
retina, or retinal microembolization.
What is a condition seen in women 55 to 65 years of age that causes a fluid-filled
optically empty space between the vitreous and retina? - ANSWER vitreous detachment.
, What are some differential diagnoses of impaired vision? - ANSWER refractive errors, cataracts,
glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retina detachment, vitreous
hemorrhage, or central retinal artery or vein occlusion.
Name assessment findings for bacterial conjunctivitis. - ANSWER purulent, thick crusted lids in
the morning. Normal vision, sandiness in eye, moderately heavy/diffuse conjunctival
abnormalities, and occurs in fall and winter.
Name assessment findings allergic conjunctivitis. - ANSWER stringy mucoid discharge, normal
vision, itching and burning, mild/diffuse conjunctival abnormalities, usually bilateral
involvment, accompanied by rhinorrhea, sneezing, watery eyes, occurs in the fall and spring.
Name assessment findings for viral conjunctivitis. - ANSWER watery discharge, normal vision,
itching, moderate/diffuse conjunctival abnormalities, often both eyes (highly contagious),
palpable preauricular lymph nodes, can be accompanied by an upper respiratory infection.
Name assessment findings for iritis. - ANSWER rarely dishcarge, visual acuity may be decreased
in severe cases, moderate pain and conjunctival abnormalities around the cornea. Poor light
reflex, photophobia, monocular, may accompany a connective tissue disease.
Name assessment findings for acute glaucoma. - ANSWER No discharge, decreased visual
acuity, severe pain, anterior chamber may appear narrow with penlight exam. Pupils may be
middilated nonreactive or sluggish. Mild photophobia in one or both eyes. Increased
intraocular pressure, accompanied by N/V, and headache.
Myopia characteristics. - ANSWER teenager with painless progressive loss of vision (PPLV),
no change in fundal exam, no urgent tx.
Presbyopia characteristics. - ANSWER older than 40, PPLV, may have blurred vision, no change
in fundal exam, no urgent tx.
Correct Detailed Answers
What are some differential diagnoses of red eye? - ANSWER conjunctivitis, hordeolum (stye),
glaucoma, iritis, corneal abrasions, or a subconjunctival hemorrhage.
Explain floaters (regarding visual disturbances). - ANSWER floaters are commonly caused by the
contraction of the vitreous humor, which is a common sequela of the aging process
(degenerative vitreous changes, or syneresis). Can also result from tear-film debris or from
material in the vitreous. Usually unilateral when looking at a bright background.
What is the significance of floaters? - ANSWER if they appear gradually and become less
noticeable over time then they're usually benign. If they appear suddenly and are bilateral then
that could be bad.
What is photopsia? - ANSWER flashing lights. It is the subjective sensation of sparks or
flashes of light induced by mechanical or electrical retinal stimulation.
What should you do if a patient presents with photopsia? - ANSWER evaluate the patient for
a retinal tear or detachment.
What might cause monocular photopsia? - ANSWER may occur secondary to cataracts, migraine
headaches, epilepsy, vertebral basilar insufficiency, retinitis, retinal hole, detachment of the
retina, or retinal microembolization.
What is a condition seen in women 55 to 65 years of age that causes a fluid-filled
optically empty space between the vitreous and retina? - ANSWER vitreous detachment.
, What are some differential diagnoses of impaired vision? - ANSWER refractive errors, cataracts,
glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retina detachment, vitreous
hemorrhage, or central retinal artery or vein occlusion.
Name assessment findings for bacterial conjunctivitis. - ANSWER purulent, thick crusted lids in
the morning. Normal vision, sandiness in eye, moderately heavy/diffuse conjunctival
abnormalities, and occurs in fall and winter.
Name assessment findings allergic conjunctivitis. - ANSWER stringy mucoid discharge, normal
vision, itching and burning, mild/diffuse conjunctival abnormalities, usually bilateral
involvment, accompanied by rhinorrhea, sneezing, watery eyes, occurs in the fall and spring.
Name assessment findings for viral conjunctivitis. - ANSWER watery discharge, normal vision,
itching, moderate/diffuse conjunctival abnormalities, often both eyes (highly contagious),
palpable preauricular lymph nodes, can be accompanied by an upper respiratory infection.
Name assessment findings for iritis. - ANSWER rarely dishcarge, visual acuity may be decreased
in severe cases, moderate pain and conjunctival abnormalities around the cornea. Poor light
reflex, photophobia, monocular, may accompany a connective tissue disease.
Name assessment findings for acute glaucoma. - ANSWER No discharge, decreased visual
acuity, severe pain, anterior chamber may appear narrow with penlight exam. Pupils may be
middilated nonreactive or sluggish. Mild photophobia in one or both eyes. Increased
intraocular pressure, accompanied by N/V, and headache.
Myopia characteristics. - ANSWER teenager with painless progressive loss of vision (PPLV),
no change in fundal exam, no urgent tx.
Presbyopia characteristics. - ANSWER older than 40, PPLV, may have blurred vision, no change
in fundal exam, no urgent tx.
