During an assessment of the eyes, the nurse documents protrusion of both eyeballs. What is the name of this abnormality?

A) Hyperopia: Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a refractive error where distant objects can be seen clearly, but close objects appear blurry. This condition occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature, causing light entering the eye to focus behind the retina. People with hyperopia often experience difficulty reading or seeing objects up close but can see distant objects more clearly.

B) Myopia: Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the opposite of hyperopia. It is a refractive error where nearby objects are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature, causing light to focus in front of the retina. Myopia affects distance vision, not close vision.

C) Mydriasis: Mydriasis refers to the dilation of the pupils, which can occur as a result of various factors, including certain medications, lighting conditions, or neurological issues. It is not related to the refractive errors such as farsightedness or nearsightedness and does not describe a condition involving clarity of vision at different distances.

D) Miosis: Miosis is the opposite of mydriasis and refers to the constriction of the pupils. It typically occurs in response to bright light or certain medications. Like mydriasis, miosis is not related to refractive errors or the clarity of vision at different distances, and does not describe farsightedness.

A) Epistaxis: Epistaxis, or a nosebleed, typically presents with the sudden onset of blood coming from one or both nostrils. Although a nosebleed can cause discomfort and a sense of obstruction, it does not typically present as difficulty breathing through one side of the nose. Epistaxis is more related to trauma, dry air, or nasal irritation rather than a structural issue causing airflow restriction.

B) Perforated septum: A perforated septum refers to a hole or tear in the nasal septum, the cartilage and bone that separates the two nasal passages. It may cause symptoms such as a whistling sound when breathing or increased susceptibility to infections, but difficulty breathing on one side of the nose alone isn't the most common symptom. A perforated septum is often associated with chronic drug use or injury, but it doesn't usually present with unilateral breathing difficulty unless it's very severe.

C) Deviated septum: A deviated septum occurs when the thin wall of bone and cartilage that divides the nasal cavity is displaced to one side. This condition is one of the most common causes of breathing difficulty on one side of the nose. The deviation can obstruct airflow, leading to symptoms like difficulty breathing through one nostril, congestion, or sinus infections. This diagnosis is most likely based on the patient's complaint.

D) Ankyloglossia: Ankyloglossia, also known as tongue-tie, refers to a condition where the frenulum (the membrane under the tongue) is abnormally short, restricting the tongue's movement. While it can cause feeding difficulties in infants or speech issues, it has no connection to nasal airflow or breathing problems. This diagnosis is unrelated to the symptoms described.