A nurse is educating a patient on proper hearing aid care and maintenance. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A Reason:

Night blindness, or difficulty seeing in low light, is not a primary symptom of macular degeneration. This condition primarily affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Night blindness is more commonly associated with conditions like retinitis pigmentosa or vitamin A deficiency.

Choice B Reason:

Central vision loss is the hallmark of macular degeneration. This condition leads to the deterioration of the macula, causing blurred or lost central vision while peripheral vision remains intact. Patients often report difficulty reading, recognizing faces, and performing tasks that require fine visual detail3.

Choice C Reason:

Peripheral vision loss is not typically associated with macular degeneration. This condition affects the central part of the retina, leaving peripheral vision largely unaffected. Peripheral vision loss is more commonly seen in conditions like glaucoma.

Choice D Reason:

Double vision, or diplopia, is not a characteristic symptom of macular degeneration. This condition affects the clarity of central vision but does not typically cause double vision. Double vision can result from issues with the eye muscles or nerves, such as in cases of strabismus or cranial nerve palsies.

Choice A Reason:

Adrenal hyperplasia involves the enlargement of the adrenal glands, which can lead to an overproduction of adrenal hormones. However, it does not directly cause hyperpituitarism. Hyperpituitarism is related to the overactivity of the pituitary gland, not the adrenal glands.

Choice B Reason:

Pituitary adenoma is the most common cause of hyperpituitarism. These benign tumors in the pituitary gland lead to the overproduction of one or more pituitary hormones, causing symptoms such as severe headaches, visual disturbances, and joint pain. The pituitary gland’s overactivity due to the adenoma results in the excessive release of hormones, which can affect various bodily functions.

Choice C Reason:

Thyroid carcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland While it can cause hormonal imbalances, it does not typically lead to hyperpituitarism. The symptoms described are more consistent with a pituitary-related issue rather than a thyroid condition.

Choice D Reason:

Hypothalamic dysfunction can affect the pituitary gland’s function since the hypothalamus regulates pituitary hormone release. However, it is less likely to be the primary cause of hyperpituitarism compared to a pituitary adenoma. The direct overproduction of hormones by the pituitary gland is more commonly due to an adenoma.