A 65-year-old man with emphysema and bronchitis has come to the clinic for a follow-up appointment.
On assessment the nurse might expect to see which finding?

Choice A rationale

Loss of peripheral vision is more commonly associated with glaucoma, where increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve. This condition leads to gradual loss of peripheral vision, often described as "tunnel vision.”. Cataracts typically do not cause this symptom.

Choice B rationale

Cataracts involve the clouding of the eye's natural lens, leading to blurred vision and decreased ability to perceive colors. The clouding scatters light, reducing the clarity of color perception and overall vision. This symptom is consistent with cataract formation.

Choice C rationale

Seeing bright flashes of light and floaters is more commonly associated with retinal detachment or posterior vitreous detachment. These conditions involve changes in the retina or vitreous humor, leading to such visual disturbances. Cataracts do not typically cause these symptoms.

Choice D rationale

Loss of central vision is more commonly associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), where the central part of the retina (macula) deteriorates. This condition affects central vision, making activities like reading and recognizing faces difficult. Cataracts primarily cause generalized blurred vision, not central vision loss.

Choice A rationale

An elliptical chest describes the typical shape of a healthy chest with a lateral dimension greater than the anteroposterior dimension. This shape allows for normal expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing. An elliptical chest does not indicate any deformity or abnormality in the sternum or costal cartilage.

Choice B rationale

Pectus excavatum, also known as funnel chest, is a congenital deformity where the sternum and costal cartilage are sunken inward, creating a concave appearance of the chest. This condition can range in severity and may affect respiratory function and exercise tolerance in some individuals. Surgical correction may be considered for severe cases.

Choice C rationale

A standard chest describes a chest without any deformities or abnormalities, typically with a normal elliptical shape. This term does not denote any specific condition or configuration and implies a healthy, non-deformed chest.

Choice D rationale

Barrel chest is characterized by an increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest, giving it a round or barrel-like appearance. This condition is often seen in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, where the lungs are chronically overinflated, causing the chest to expand and lose its normal shape.