A middle-aged school teacher complains of excessive tearing of the eyes every morning. Which assessment should the nurse perform next?
Assess the nasolacrimal sac
Inspect the palpebral conjunctiva
Test pupillary reaction to light
Perform the eye positions test
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
The nasolacrimal sac is part of the tear drainage system. When a patient presents with excessive tearing, known as epiphora, it is important to assess for any obstruction in the lacrimal apparatus. The nasolacrimal sac can become blocked due to various reasons such as infection, inflammation, or structural abnormalities. Assessing this area can help determine if there is a blockage causing the tears to accumulate and overflow.
Choice B Reason:
Inspecting the palpebral conjunctiva is typically done if there is a complaint of eye pain or a sensation of a foreign body in the eye. While it is part of a comprehensive eye examination, it is not the first assessment to be performed for excessive tearing unless there are additional symptoms that suggest a problem with the conjunctiva.
Choice C Reason:
Testing the pupillary reaction to light is an assessment of the pupillary response and the function of the oculomotor nerve. This test is crucial when neurological issues are suspected or if there is a change in vision. However, it is not the primary assessment for excessive tearing without other associated symptoms.
Choice D Reason:
The eye positions test, which assesses eye muscle strength and cranial nerve function, is not necessary unless there are signs of problems with muscle strength, such as drooping. This test would not typically be the next step in assessing a patient with excessive tearing unless there are other indications of muscle or nerve impairment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Diabetes mellitus is not typically associated with pitting edema unless it has led to a comorbid condition such as heart failure or kidney disease. Pitting edema is more commonly associated with fluid retention due to the body's inability to manage fluid balance, which is not a direct consequence of diabetes mellitus itself.
Choice B reason:
Liver disease, particularly cirrhosis, can lead to pitting edema. The liver's inability to produce albumin, a protein that helps maintain oncotic pressure in the blood vessels, and portal hypertension, which is an increase in the blood pressure within the portal vein system, can both contribute to the development of pitting edema.
Choice C reason:
End-stage renal disease can also cause pitting edema due to the kidneys' inability to excrete excess fluid. However, the edema associated with renal disease is often more generalized and not limited to the lower extremities.
Choice D reason:
Colon cancer is not typically associated with pitting edema unless it has metastasized and caused secondary complications that affect the liver or the heart. Pitting edema is not a direct symptom of colon cancer itself. 
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Looking down does not typically expose the sclera and conjunctiva for examination. The lower eyelid covers more of the sclera when the eyes are directed downward, making it less accessible for observation.
Choice B Reason:
Moving the eyes to the left is not the standard direction for examining the sclera and conjunctiva. This movement would not provide an optimal view of the entire sclera and conjunctiva, as it would only stretch the lateral part of the conjunctiva.
Choice C Reason:
Directing the eyes to the right, similar to moving them to the left, does not offer the best exposure for examining the sclera and conjunctiva. The medial part of the conjunctiva would be stretched, but the rest would not be easily visible.
Choice D Reason:
Instructing the client to look up is the correct procedure when examining the sclera and conjunctiva. By looking upward, the client exposes more of the sclera and the palpebral conjunctiva, allowing the nurse to inspect these areas thoroughly for any abnormalities such as redness, swelling, or foreign bodies.
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