NURS 6531 CERTIFICATION EVALUATION
2026 EXAM QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ A primary care provider may suspect cataract formation in a
patient with which finding?
a. Asymmetric red reflex
b. Corneal opacification
c. Excessive tearing
d. Injection of conjunctiva.
Answer: ANS: A
An asymmetric red reflex may be a finding in a patient with
cataracts. Corneal opacification,
excessive tearing, and corneal injection are not symptoms of
cataracts.
◉ Which are risk factors for development of cataracts? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Advancing age
b. Cholesterol
c. Conjunctivitis
d. Smoking
e. Ultraviolet light.
,Answer: ANS: A, D, E
Most older adults will develop cataracts. Smoking and UV light
exposure hasten the development of cataracts. Cholesterol and
conjunctivitis are not risk factors.
◉ A patient has a gradually enlarging nodule on one upper eyelid
and reports that the lesion is painful. On examination, the lesion
appears warm and erythematous. The provider knows that this is
likely to be which type of lesion?
a. Blepharitis
b. Chalazion
c. Hordeolum
d. Meibomian.
Answer: ANS: C
Although hordeolum and chalazion lesions both present as gradually
enlarging nodules, a hordeolum is usually painful, while a chalazion
generally is not. Blepharitis refers to generalized inflammation of
the eyelids. Meibomian is a type of gland near the eye.
◉ A patient reports using artificial tears for comfort because of
burning and itching in both eyes but reports worsening symptoms.
The provider notes redness and discharge along the eyelid margins
with clear conjunctivae. What is the recommended treatment?
a. Antibiotic solution drops four times daily
b. Warm compresses, lid scrubs, and antibiotic ointment
,c. Oral antibiotics given prophylactically for several months
d. Reassurance that this is a self-limiting condition.
Answer: ANS: B
This patient has symptoms of blepharitis without conjunctivitis.
Initial treatment involves lid hygiene and antibiotic ointment may be
applied after lid scrubs. Antibiotic solution is used if conjunctivitis is
present. Oral antibiotics are used for severe cases. This disorder is
generally chronic.
◉ A child has a localized nodule on one eyelid which is warm,
tender, and erythematous. On examination, the provider notes clear
conjunctivae and no discharge. What is the recommended
treatment?
a. Referral to an ophthalmologist
b. Surgical incision and drainage
c. Systemic antibiotics
d. Warm compresses and massage of the lesion.
Answer: ANS: D
This child has a hordeolum, which is generally self-limited and
usually spontaneously improves with conservative treatment. Warm
compresses and massage of the lesion are recommended. Referral is
not necessary unless a secondary infection occurs. Surgical
intervention is not indicated. Systemic antibiotics are used to treat
secondary cellulitis.
, ◉ A patient reports bilateral burning and itching eyes for several
days. The provider notes a boggy appearance to the conjunctivae,
along with clear, watery discharge. The patient's
eyelids are thickened and discolored. There are no other symptoms.
Which type of conjunctivitis is most likely?
a. Allergic
b. Bacterial
c. Chemical
d. Viral.
Answer: ANS: A
Allergic conjunctivitis generally presents simultaneously in both
eyes with itching as a
predominant feature. Discharge is generally clear or stringy and
white and the patient will have lid discoloration, thickening, and
erythema. Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by acute
inflammation of the conjunctivae along with purulent discharge.
Chemical conjunctivitis will not have purulent discharge. Viral
conjunctivitis is usually in association with a URI.
◉ A patient who has symptoms of a cold develops conjunctivitis. The
provider notes erythema of one eye with profuse, watery discharge
and enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes, along
with a fever. Which treatment is indicated?
a. Antihistamine-vasoconstrictor drops
b. Artificial tears and cool compresses
2026 EXAM QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ A primary care provider may suspect cataract formation in a
patient with which finding?
a. Asymmetric red reflex
b. Corneal opacification
c. Excessive tearing
d. Injection of conjunctiva.
Answer: ANS: A
An asymmetric red reflex may be a finding in a patient with
cataracts. Corneal opacification,
excessive tearing, and corneal injection are not symptoms of
cataracts.
◉ Which are risk factors for development of cataracts? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Advancing age
b. Cholesterol
c. Conjunctivitis
d. Smoking
e. Ultraviolet light.
,Answer: ANS: A, D, E
Most older adults will develop cataracts. Smoking and UV light
exposure hasten the development of cataracts. Cholesterol and
conjunctivitis are not risk factors.
◉ A patient has a gradually enlarging nodule on one upper eyelid
and reports that the lesion is painful. On examination, the lesion
appears warm and erythematous. The provider knows that this is
likely to be which type of lesion?
a. Blepharitis
b. Chalazion
c. Hordeolum
d. Meibomian.
Answer: ANS: C
Although hordeolum and chalazion lesions both present as gradually
enlarging nodules, a hordeolum is usually painful, while a chalazion
generally is not. Blepharitis refers to generalized inflammation of
the eyelids. Meibomian is a type of gland near the eye.
◉ A patient reports using artificial tears for comfort because of
burning and itching in both eyes but reports worsening symptoms.
The provider notes redness and discharge along the eyelid margins
with clear conjunctivae. What is the recommended treatment?
a. Antibiotic solution drops four times daily
b. Warm compresses, lid scrubs, and antibiotic ointment
,c. Oral antibiotics given prophylactically for several months
d. Reassurance that this is a self-limiting condition.
Answer: ANS: B
This patient has symptoms of blepharitis without conjunctivitis.
Initial treatment involves lid hygiene and antibiotic ointment may be
applied after lid scrubs. Antibiotic solution is used if conjunctivitis is
present. Oral antibiotics are used for severe cases. This disorder is
generally chronic.
◉ A child has a localized nodule on one eyelid which is warm,
tender, and erythematous. On examination, the provider notes clear
conjunctivae and no discharge. What is the recommended
treatment?
a. Referral to an ophthalmologist
b. Surgical incision and drainage
c. Systemic antibiotics
d. Warm compresses and massage of the lesion.
Answer: ANS: D
This child has a hordeolum, which is generally self-limited and
usually spontaneously improves with conservative treatment. Warm
compresses and massage of the lesion are recommended. Referral is
not necessary unless a secondary infection occurs. Surgical
intervention is not indicated. Systemic antibiotics are used to treat
secondary cellulitis.
, ◉ A patient reports bilateral burning and itching eyes for several
days. The provider notes a boggy appearance to the conjunctivae,
along with clear, watery discharge. The patient's
eyelids are thickened and discolored. There are no other symptoms.
Which type of conjunctivitis is most likely?
a. Allergic
b. Bacterial
c. Chemical
d. Viral.
Answer: ANS: A
Allergic conjunctivitis generally presents simultaneously in both
eyes with itching as a
predominant feature. Discharge is generally clear or stringy and
white and the patient will have lid discoloration, thickening, and
erythema. Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by acute
inflammation of the conjunctivae along with purulent discharge.
Chemical conjunctivitis will not have purulent discharge. Viral
conjunctivitis is usually in association with a URI.
◉ A patient who has symptoms of a cold develops conjunctivitis. The
provider notes erythema of one eye with profuse, watery discharge
and enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes, along
with a fever. Which treatment is indicated?
a. Antihistamine-vasoconstrictor drops
b. Artificial tears and cool compresses
