A patient is complaining of a black large spot in the center of their vision.
The nurse determines this manifestation as central vision loss.
Which eye disorder below is consistent with this symptom?

Choice A rationale

Separation of the retina from the choroid, also known as retinal detachment, is a different condition altogether. Retinal detachment can cause vision loss but is not related to macular degeneration. This condition often requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss and is typically characterized by the sudden appearance of floaters, flashes of light, and a shadow or curtain over a portion of the visual field.

Choice B rationale

Peripheral vision loss and seeing halos around light are more commonly associated with conditions like glaucoma. Glaucoma involves increased intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to peripheral vision loss and seeing halos around lights. This condition can be managed with medications or surgery to lower intraocular pressure and prevent further vision loss.

Choice C rationale

Complaints of severe pain and pressure in the eye are indicative of acute angle-closure glaucoma. This is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent optic nerve damage. The symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma are sudden and severe and can include headache, nausea, and vomiting, along with the eye pain and pressure.

Choice D rationale

Central vision loss with intact peripheral vision is characteristic of macular degeneration, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. As the macula deteriorates, central vision becomes blurry or wavy, making it difficult to read, drive, or recognize faces, while peripheral vision remains largely unaffected.

Choice A rationale

The electrical representations of the cardiac cycle that are documented by deflections on recording paper are known as an electrocardiogram (ECG). ECGs provide a visual record of the heart's electrical activity, captured through electrodes placed on the body. These deflections correspond to the depolarization and repolarization phases of the heart's muscle cells, translating into P, QRS, and T waves on the ECG strip. The primary function is to diagnose arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and other heart conditions by identifying abnormal patterns in these waves.

Choice B rationale

This choice describes cardiac output, the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle over one minute, which is unrelated to the visual documentation of electrical activity provided by an ECG.

Choice C rationale

This choice refers to the stroke volume, the amount of blood ejected with each heartbeat, not the electrical representation of cardiac activity shown on an ECG.

Choice D rationale

This choice is partially correct but does not fully describe an ECG, which includes a detailed recording on paper rather than just visual electrical impulses on a screen.