Chapter 42: Assessment and Care of Patients
with Eye and Vision Problems
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A client who is nearly blind is admitted to the hospital. What action by the nurse is
most important?
a. Allow the client to feel his or her way around.
b. Let the client arrange objects on the bedside table.
c. Orient the client to the room using a focal point.
d. Speak loudly and slowing when talking to the client.
ANS: C
Using a focal point, orient the client to the room by giving descriptions of items as
they relate to the focal point. Letting the client arrange the bedside table is
appropriate, but not as important as orienting the client to the room for safety.
Allowing the client to just feel around may cause injury. Unless the client is also
hearing impaired, use a normal tone of voice.
DIF: Understanding TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning and
Implementation KEY: Decreased visual acuity, Client safety MSC:
Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and
Infection Control
2. A client is taking timolol eyedrops. The nurse assesses the client’s pulse at 48
beats/min. What action by the nurse is the priority?
a. Ask the client about excessive salivation.
, b. Take the client’s blood pressure and temperature.
c. Give the drops using punctal occlusion.
d. Hold the eyedrops and notify the primary health care provider.
ANS: D
The nurse would hold the eyedrops and notify the primary health care provider
because beta blockers can slow the heart rate. Excessive salivation can occur with
cholinergic agonists. Taking the blood pressure and temperature are not necessary. If
the drops are given, the nurse uses punctal occlusion to avoid systemic absorption.
DIF: Applying TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Evaluation
KEY: Glaucoma, Drug therapy MSC: Client Needs Category:
Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. A client has been prescribed brinzolamide for glaucoma. What assessment by the
nurse requires communication with the primary health care provider?
a. Allergy to eggs
b. Allergy to sulfonamides
c. Use of contact lenses
d. Use of beta blockers
ANS: B
Brinzolamide is similar to sulfonamides, so an allergic reaction could occur. The other
assessment findings are not related to brinzolamide.
DIF: Remembering TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
KEY: Glaucoma, Drug therapy MSC: Client Needs Category:
Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. A client is brought to the emergency department after a car crash. The client has a
large piece of glass in the left eye. What action by the nurse takes priority?
a. Administer a tetanus booster shot.
with Eye and Vision Problems
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A client who is nearly blind is admitted to the hospital. What action by the nurse is
most important?
a. Allow the client to feel his or her way around.
b. Let the client arrange objects on the bedside table.
c. Orient the client to the room using a focal point.
d. Speak loudly and slowing when talking to the client.
ANS: C
Using a focal point, orient the client to the room by giving descriptions of items as
they relate to the focal point. Letting the client arrange the bedside table is
appropriate, but not as important as orienting the client to the room for safety.
Allowing the client to just feel around may cause injury. Unless the client is also
hearing impaired, use a normal tone of voice.
DIF: Understanding TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning and
Implementation KEY: Decreased visual acuity, Client safety MSC:
Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and
Infection Control
2. A client is taking timolol eyedrops. The nurse assesses the client’s pulse at 48
beats/min. What action by the nurse is the priority?
a. Ask the client about excessive salivation.
, b. Take the client’s blood pressure and temperature.
c. Give the drops using punctal occlusion.
d. Hold the eyedrops and notify the primary health care provider.
ANS: D
The nurse would hold the eyedrops and notify the primary health care provider
because beta blockers can slow the heart rate. Excessive salivation can occur with
cholinergic agonists. Taking the blood pressure and temperature are not necessary. If
the drops are given, the nurse uses punctal occlusion to avoid systemic absorption.
DIF: Applying TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Evaluation
KEY: Glaucoma, Drug therapy MSC: Client Needs Category:
Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. A client has been prescribed brinzolamide for glaucoma. What assessment by the
nurse requires communication with the primary health care provider?
a. Allergy to eggs
b. Allergy to sulfonamides
c. Use of contact lenses
d. Use of beta blockers
ANS: B
Brinzolamide is similar to sulfonamides, so an allergic reaction could occur. The other
assessment findings are not related to brinzolamide.
DIF: Remembering TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
KEY: Glaucoma, Drug therapy MSC: Client Needs Category:
Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. A client is brought to the emergency department after a car crash. The client has a
large piece of glass in the left eye. What action by the nurse takes priority?
a. Administer a tetanus booster shot.
