SENSORY ALTERATIONS — APPLICATION & ANALYSIS EXAM
Priority Assessment – Acute Vision Change
A patient reports “a curtain coming down over my vision” in the right eye. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assess visual acuity
B. Administer prescribed eye drops
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Reassure the patient this is age-related
Narrow-Angle Glaucoma – Emergency Recognition
Which assessment finding suggests acute narrow-angle glaucoma requiring immediate intervention?
A. Gradual peripheral vision loss
B. Severe eye pain with nausea and halos around lights
C. Painless cloudy lens
D. Slow progressive central vision loss
Glaucoma Teaching – Requires Further Education
A patient with open-angle glaucoma is using timolol eye drops. Which statement indicates the need for
further teaching?
A. “I will use punctal occlusion after instilling drops.”
B. “I should monitor my pulse rate.”
C. “If my vision improves, I can stop the drops.”
D. “I will administer the drops daily as prescribed.”
Diabetic Retinopathy – Priority Nursing Action
A patient with diabetes reports new floaters and blurred vision. What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. Document the findings
B. Educate about glycemic control
C. Arrange immediate ophthalmology evaluation
D. Assess for pain
Retinal Detachment – SATA
, Which findings are consistent with retinal detachment? (Select all that apply.)
A. Flashes of light
B. Curtain-like shadow
C. Severe eye pain
D. Sudden increase in floaters
E. Gradual loss of peripheral vision
Cataracts – Teaching
Which statement by a patient with cataracts indicates correct understanding?
A. “This condition usually causes sudden vision loss.”
B. “My lens is becoming cloudy.”
C. “This is caused by high intraocular pressure.”
D. “I will need emergency surgery.”
Ménière’s Disease – Priority
A patient with Ménière’s disease reports sudden vertigo and nausea. What is the nurse’s priority
intervention?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Dim lights and have patient lie still
C. Administer insulin
D. Perform ear irrigation
Ototoxicity – Assessment
Which medication class places a patient at highest risk for ototoxicity?
A. Beta blockers
B. Aminoglycosides
C. Corticosteroids
D. ACE inhibitors
Hearing Loss – Conductive vs Sensorineural
Which finding is most consistent with conductive hearing loss?
A. Inability to understand speech despite loud volume
B. History of noise exposure
Priority Assessment – Acute Vision Change
A patient reports “a curtain coming down over my vision” in the right eye. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assess visual acuity
B. Administer prescribed eye drops
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Reassure the patient this is age-related
Narrow-Angle Glaucoma – Emergency Recognition
Which assessment finding suggests acute narrow-angle glaucoma requiring immediate intervention?
A. Gradual peripheral vision loss
B. Severe eye pain with nausea and halos around lights
C. Painless cloudy lens
D. Slow progressive central vision loss
Glaucoma Teaching – Requires Further Education
A patient with open-angle glaucoma is using timolol eye drops. Which statement indicates the need for
further teaching?
A. “I will use punctal occlusion after instilling drops.”
B. “I should monitor my pulse rate.”
C. “If my vision improves, I can stop the drops.”
D. “I will administer the drops daily as prescribed.”
Diabetic Retinopathy – Priority Nursing Action
A patient with diabetes reports new floaters and blurred vision. What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. Document the findings
B. Educate about glycemic control
C. Arrange immediate ophthalmology evaluation
D. Assess for pain
Retinal Detachment – SATA
, Which findings are consistent with retinal detachment? (Select all that apply.)
A. Flashes of light
B. Curtain-like shadow
C. Severe eye pain
D. Sudden increase in floaters
E. Gradual loss of peripheral vision
Cataracts – Teaching
Which statement by a patient with cataracts indicates correct understanding?
A. “This condition usually causes sudden vision loss.”
B. “My lens is becoming cloudy.”
C. “This is caused by high intraocular pressure.”
D. “I will need emergency surgery.”
Ménière’s Disease – Priority
A patient with Ménière’s disease reports sudden vertigo and nausea. What is the nurse’s priority
intervention?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Dim lights and have patient lie still
C. Administer insulin
D. Perform ear irrigation
Ototoxicity – Assessment
Which medication class places a patient at highest risk for ototoxicity?
A. Beta blockers
B. Aminoglycosides
C. Corticosteroids
D. ACE inhibitors
Hearing Loss – Conductive vs Sensorineural
Which finding is most consistent with conductive hearing loss?
A. Inability to understand speech despite loud volume
B. History of noise exposure
