The nurse educator asks the student nurse to explain the most common causes of blindness in the United States. Which of the following options will the student nurse select as one of the top causes of blindness?

Choice A Reason: This is correct because melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, which are cells that produce pigment. Melanoma lesions are often irregular in shape and color, and may have different shades of brown or black.

Choice B Reason: This is correct because melanoma is a very aggressive and invasive type of skin cancer that can spread quickly to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system. Melanoma has a high mortality rate if not detected and treated early.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because warm and red skin around a lesion may indicate inflammation or infection, but not necessarily melanoma. Melanoma lesions may have other signs, such as bleeding, itching, or ulceration.

Choice D Reason: This is correct because melanoma is associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or artificial sources, such as tanning beds. UV radiation can damage the DNA of melanocytes and cause them to grow abnormally.

Choice E Reason: This is incorrect because melanoma lesions are usually not painful unless they are ulcerated or infected. Pain may be a sign of other types of skin conditions, such as burns, blisters, or cuts.

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because intestinal obstruction is not a common complication of ileostomy surgery. An ileostomy is a surgical opening in the abdomen that connects the end of the small intestine (ileum) to a pouch or bag outside the body. This allows stool to bypass the colon and rectum. Intestinal obstruction can occur if there is a blockage or narrowing in any part of the digestive tract, but it is more likely to affect the colon than the ileum.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because folate deficiency is not a common complication of ileostomy surgery. Folate is a vitamin that is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Folate is mainly absorbed in the jejunum, which is the middle part of the small intestine. An ileostomy does not affect the jejunum, so it does not interfere with folate absorption.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because malabsorption of fat is not a common complication of ileostomy surgery. Fat is digested and absorbed in both the small and large intestine. An ileostomy does not affect fat digestion, but it may reduce fat absorption by decreasing the transit time and surface area of the intestine. However, this is usually not significant enough to cause malabsorption symptoms.

Choice D Reason: This is correct because fluid and electrolyte imbalance is a common complication of ileostomy surgery. Fluid and electrolytes are mainly absorbed in the colon, which is bypassed by an ileostomy. This can result in increased fluid and electrolyte loss through stool, especially sodium and potassium. This can lead to dehydration, hypotension, weakness, cramps, or arrhythmias.