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 A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Vertigo is a common complication associated with inner ear infections, such as labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis. The inner ear is responsible for balance, and when it is infected, it can lead to a sensation of spinning or dizziness. Interventions may include medications like meclizine or dimenhydrinate to alleviate symptoms, as well as safety measures to prevent falls.
Choice B Reason:
Rhinorrhea, or a runny nose, is not typically a direct complication of an inner ear infection. It may be associated with upper respiratory infections that can precede or accompany an ear infection but is not a result of the inner ear infection itself.
Choice C Reason:
Fever may be present if the inner ear infection is part of a systemic infection, such as the flu or bacterial meningitis. However, fever is not a direct result of an isolated inner ear infection. If fever is present, the nurse should monitor the patient's temperature and may administer antipyretics as ordered.
Choice D Reason:
Headache can be a symptom experienced by individuals with inner ear infections due to the general discomfort and pressure changes in the ear. However, it is not as specific or as common as vertigo when it comes to inner ear infections. If headaches are present, pain management strategies can be included in the care plan.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is d) Stage II.
Choice a reason:
Stage IV pressure ulcers are the most severe, with full-thickness skin loss and exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. Signs of stage IV include large-scale tissue loss, possibly including slough or eschar, and may include undermining and tunneling. The scenario described does not indicate such an advanced stage, as there is no mention of exposed deeper tissues or structures.
Choice b reason:
Stage III pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss, potentially affecting subcutaneous tissue but not extending to underlying muscle or bone. The wound may have a crater-like appearance. The described condition does not match stage III, as there is no indication of the ulcer extending into subcutaneous tissue.
Choice c reason:
Stage I pressure ulcers present with intact skin and non-blanchable redness of a localized area usually over a bony prominence. The skin may be painful, firm, soft, warmer, or cooler compared to adjacent tissue. In the given scenario, the skin is not intact, ruling out stage I.
Choice d reason:
Stage II pressure ulcers are characterized by partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed, without slough. They may also present as intact or ruptured blisters. The description of the skin condition with erythema, serosanguineous drainage, and a blister-like appearance aligns with a stage II pressure ulcer.
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