A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with cataracts.
What cue is consistent with cloudiness in the lens during the inspection of the eyes?

Choice A rationale

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is when distant objects appear blurry because light rays focus in front of the retina. A Snellen exam result of 20/50 means the client can see at 20 feet what someone with normal vision sees at 50 feet, indicating reduced distance vision. However, this condition does not correlate with the ability to read the Rosenbaum chart, which is for near vision, thus excluding myopia.

Choice B rationale

Normal vision is not indicated by a Snellen exam result of 20/50, as this signifies a visual impairment where the client sees at 20 feet what a person with normal vision sees at 50 feet. Normal vision would be indicated by 20/20 on the Snellen exam.

Choice C rationale

Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects, typically noticeable in people over 40. Although this condition involves difficulty reading at close range, the client's uncorrected Snellen exam result of 20/50 pertains to distance vision, which differentiates presbyopia from the given scenario.

Choice D rationale

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is when close objects appear blurry because light rays focus behind the retina. The client's ability to read the Rosenbaum chart without difficulty indicates good near vision, while the Snellen exam result of 20/50 reflects reduced distance vision, thus supporting the diagnosis of hyperopia.

Choice A rationale

Rhonchi are low-pitched, continuous breath sounds that are often indicative of secretions in the large airways. These sounds may change or clear with coughing, so the nurse should have the patient cough and then auscultate again to reassess the presence of rhonchi.

Choice B rationale

Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds heard primarily during expiration. They are caused by narrowed airways, typically due to asthma or other obstructive lung conditions. Wheezes do not usually clear with coughing and require specific treatments to address airway constriction.

Choice C rationale

Crackles are discontinuous, popping sounds heard during inspiration and are associated with fluid in the alveoli, such as in conditions like pneumonia or heart failure. Crackles are not typically cleared by coughing and may persist despite the patient's efforts to clear their airways.

Choice D rationale

Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh sound heard during inspiration, often indicating upper airway obstruction. Stridor is a medical emergency and requires immediate intervention to secure the airway. It does not clear with coughing and signifies a critical respiratory issue. .