A nurse collects the health history of a 65-year-old client. Which of the following risk factors in the client's history puts the client at the highest risk for embolic stroke?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because slow cautious behaviors are more consistent with a stroke involving the right hemisphere. The right hemisphere controls spatial awareness, creativity, and intuition. A stroke affecting this hemisphere can cause impulsivity, poor judgment, and denial of deficits.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because loss of depth perception is more consistent with a stroke involving
the right hemisphere. The right hemisphere controls visual-spatial perception, which includes depth perception, distance estimation, and object recognition. A stroke affecting this hemisphere can cause difficulty in navigating space, judging distances, and identifying objects.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because the overestimation of abilities is more consistent with a stroke involving
the right hemisphere. The right hemisphere controls emotional regulation, self-awareness, and insight. A stroke affecting this hemisphere can cause euphoria, lack of insight, and unrealistic expectations.

Choice D reason: This is the correct answer because hemianopsia is consistent with a stroke involving
the left hemisphere. The left hemisphere controls language, logic, and analysis. A stroke affecting this hemisphere can cause hemianopsia, which is the loss of vision in half of the visual field. This can affect reading, writing, and communication skills.

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because applying the medication when you are experiencing eye pain can be ineffective or harmful for treating open-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is a chronic condition that causes increased pressure inside the eye and damage to the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss. Eye pain is not a common symptom of open-angle glaucoma, but rather an indication of acute angle closure glaucoma, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. The nurse should instruct the client to apply the medication as prescribed, regardless of pain level, and seek medical attention if they experience severe eye pain, headache, nausea, or blurred vision.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because using the medication only until the intraocular pressure returns to normal can cause recurrence or worsening of open-angle glaucoma. Intraocular pressure is the pressure inside
the eye that can affect eye health and vision. Normal intraocular pressure ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg, but it can vary depending on age, time of day, or other factors. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor their intraocular pressure regularly and report any changes to their provider, but not to stop using
the medication without consulting their provider first.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect because using the medication for approximately 10 days, then gradually tapering off can cause rebound or adverse effects of open-angle glaucoma. The medication for open-angle glaucoma can be either beta-blockers, such as timolol, or cholinergic agents, such as pilocarpine, which work by reducing fluid production or increasing fluid drainage in the eye. The nurse should instruct the client to follow their provider's instructions on how long and how much to use the medication and not to change or discontinue it abruptly without their provider's approval.
Choice D reason: This is correct because applying the medication on a regular schedule for the rest of your life can help control and prevent the progression of open-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is a lifelong condition that requires consistent and continuous treatment to maintain normal intraocular pressure and prevent vision loss. The nurse should instruct the client to apply the medication at the same time every day and not to miss or skip any doses. The nurse should also teach the client how to store, handle, and administer the medication properly and safely.