When planning care for a patient with disturbed sensory perception related to increased
intraocular pressure caused by primary open-angle glaucoma, what should the nurse focus on?
Recognizing that eye damage caused by glaucoma can be reversed in the early stages
Giving anticipatory guidance about the eventual loss of central vision that will occur
Encouraging compliance with drug therapy for the glaucoma to prevent loss of vision
Managing the pain experienced by patients with glaucoma that persists until the optic nerve
atrophies - Answers Encouraging compliance with drug therapy for the glaucoma to prevent
loss of vision
Drug therapy is necessary to prevent the eventual vision loss that may occur as a consequence
of glaucoma. For this reason, encourage the patient to remain compliant with drug therapy.
Which statement is most appropriate when teaching a patient about timolol (Timoptic) eye
drops in the treatment of glaucoma?
"You may feel some palpitations after instilling these eye drops."
"You should withhold this medication if your blood pressure becomes elevated."
"You may have some temporary blurring of vision after instilling these eye drops."
"You should keep your eyes closed for 15 minutes after instilling these eye drops." - Answers
"You may have some temporary blurring of vision after instilling these eye drops."
It is common for patients to have a temporary blurring of vision for a few minutes after instilling
eye drops. This should not cause concern to the patient. Because timolol is a β-blocker, heart
rate may slow, and blood pressure is more likely to decrease if absorbed systemically.
Which finding related to primary open-angle glaucoma would the nurse expect to find when
reviewing a patient's history and physical examination report?
Absence of pain or pressure
Blurred vision in the morning
Seeing colored halos around lights
Eye pain accompanied with nausea and vomiting - Answers Absence of pain or pressure
, Primary open-angle glaucoma is typically symptom-free, which explains why patients can have
significant vision loss before a diagnosis is made unless regular eye examinations are being
performed. Primary angle-closure glaucoma manifestations include sudden, excruciating pain in
or around the eye, seeing colored halos around lights, and nausea and vomiting.
When teaching a patient about the pathophysiology related to open-angle glaucoma, which
statement is most appropriate?
"The retinal nerve is damaged by an abnormal increase in the production of aqueous humor."
"There is decreased draining of aqueous humor in the eye, causing pressure damage to the
optic nerve."
"The lens enlarges with normal aging, pushing the iris forward, which then covers the outflow
channels of the eye."
"There is a decreased flow of aqueous humor into the anterior chamber by the lens of the eye
blocking the papillary opening." - Answers "There is decreased draining of aqueous humor in the
eye, causing pressure damage to the optic nerve."
With primary open-angle glaucoma, there is increased intraocular pressure because the
aqueous humor cannot drain from the eye. This leads to damage to the optic nerve over time.
Primary angle-closure glaucoma is caused by the lens bulging forward and blocking the flow of
aqueous humor into the anterior chamber.
Which instruction is most appropriate for a patient using contact lenses who is diagnosed with
bacterial conjunctivitis?
Discard all opened or used lens care products.
Disinfect contact lenses by soaking in a cleaning solution for 48 hours.
Put all used cosmetics in a plastic bag for 1 week to kill any bacteria before reusing.
Disinfect all lens care products with the prescribed antibiotic drops for 1 week after infection. -
Answers Discard all opened or used lens care products.
The patient who wears contact lenses and develops infections should discard all opened or
used lens care products and cosmetics to decrease the risk of reinfection from contaminated
products. The risk of conjunctivitis is increased with not disinfecting lenses properly, wearing
contact lenses too long, or using water or homemade solutions to store and clean lenses.