Chapter 16: Assessing Eyes 2026
edition with complete questions and
answers
A client performs the test for distant visual acuity and scores 20/50. How should the nurse most
accurately interpret this finding?
A. When 50 feet from the chart, the client can see better than a person standing at 20 feet.
B. Client can read the 20/50 line correctly and two other letters on the line above.
C. Client did not wear his glasses for this test and therefore it is not accurate.
D. At 20 feet from the chart, the client sees what a person with good vision can see at 50 feet. - Correct
Answer: Correct response:
D. 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.
Reference:
Weber, J.R., & Kelley, J.H., Health Assessment in Nursing, 7th ed., Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2022,
Chapter 16: Assessing Eyes, HEALTH ASSESSMENT, Collecting Objective Data: Physical Examination, p.
317.
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?
, A. Risk for Injury
B. Self-Care Deficit
C. Ineffective Individual Coping
D. Disturbed Self Concept - Correct Answer: Correct response:
A. Risk for Injury
Explanation:
The only nursing diagnosis that can be confirmed with these data is Risk for Injury. The client is aware of
the dangers of driving due to changes in his vision. There is not enough data to support the other
diagnoses.
Reference:
Weber, J.R., & Kelley, J.H., Health Assessment in Nursing, 7th ed., Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2022,
Chapter 16: Assessing Eyes, ANALYZING DATA TO MAKE INFORMED CLINICAL JUDGMENTS, Possible
Client Concerns, p. 328.
Which technique by the nurse demonstrates proper use of the ophthalmoscope?
A. Approaches the client directly in front of the pupil
B. Asks the client to fix the gaze upon an object and look straight ahead
C. Uses right eye to examine the client's left eye
D. Moves the scope around so the entire optic disk may be seen - Correct Answer: Correct response:
B. 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.
edition with complete questions and
answers
A client performs the test for distant visual acuity and scores 20/50. How should the nurse most
accurately interpret this finding?
A. When 50 feet from the chart, the client can see better than a person standing at 20 feet.
B. Client can read the 20/50 line correctly and two other letters on the line above.
C. Client did not wear his glasses for this test and therefore it is not accurate.
D. At 20 feet from the chart, the client sees what a person with good vision can see at 50 feet. - Correct
Answer: Correct response:
D. 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.
Reference:
Weber, J.R., & Kelley, J.H., Health Assessment in Nursing, 7th ed., Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2022,
Chapter 16: Assessing Eyes, HEALTH ASSESSMENT, Collecting Objective Data: Physical Examination, p.
317.
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?
, A. Risk for Injury
B. Self-Care Deficit
C. Ineffective Individual Coping
D. Disturbed Self Concept - Correct Answer: Correct response:
A. Risk for Injury
Explanation:
The only nursing diagnosis that can be confirmed with these data is Risk for Injury. The client is aware of
the dangers of driving due to changes in his vision. There is not enough data to support the other
diagnoses.
Reference:
Weber, J.R., & Kelley, J.H., Health Assessment in Nursing, 7th ed., Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2022,
Chapter 16: Assessing Eyes, ANALYZING DATA TO MAKE INFORMED CLINICAL JUDGMENTS, Possible
Client Concerns, p. 328.
Which technique by the nurse demonstrates proper use of the ophthalmoscope?
A. Approaches the client directly in front of the pupil
B. Asks the client to fix the gaze upon an object and look straight ahead
C. Uses right eye to examine the client's left eye
D. Moves the scope around so the entire optic disk may be seen - Correct Answer: Correct response:
B. 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.
