The nurse is caring for a client with a history of breast cancer who is receiving chemotherapy. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?

Choice A reason: Teaching mask use, hand washing, and distancing is important for preventing COVID-19 spread but is secondary to immediate isolation. Suspected cases require prompt separation to minimize transmission risk, as symptoms like fever and anosmia suggest high infectivity, making isolation the priority action.

Choice B reason: Counseling family to monitor symptoms is a follow-up measure, not the immediate priority. Isolation prevents active transmission in the emergency department, where the client is currently located. Family monitoring is relevant post-discharge but secondary to containing the virus in the acute setting.

Choice C reason: Isolation is the most critical action for a suspected COVID-19 case, as symptoms like fever, anosmia, and aches indicate potential infectivity. Separating the client from others without proper PPE prevents airborne and droplet transmission, protecting patients and staff in the emergency department, making it the priority.

Choice D reason: Reporting COVID-19 results to health authorities is mandatory but occurs after test confirmation. Immediate isolation prevents transmission in the emergency department while awaiting results. Reporting is a secondary administrative action, as the priority is containing the virus in the acute care setting.

Choice A reason: Open-angle glaucoma involves chronic optic nerve damage due to impaired aqueous humor drainage, not a reversible “angle” change. Medications reduce intraocular pressure but cannot restore anatomical angles. This response is inaccurate, as the condition requires lifelong management to prevent further nerve damage and vision loss.

Choice B reason: Open-angle glaucoma requires lifelong medication to maintain normal intraocular pressure, preventing optic nerve damage. Medications like prostaglandin analogs or beta-blockers enhance aqueous humor outflow or reduce production, controlling pressure long-term. This is the accurate response, as sustained pressure management is essential to preserve vision in chronic glaucoma.

Choice C reason: Reducing excess pressure is a goal of glaucoma treatment, but open-angle glaucoma is chronic, requiring ongoing medication even after pressure is lowered. This response is incomplete, as it suggests a temporary treatment, whereas lifelong therapy is needed to prevent pressure spikes and progressive optic nerve damage.

Choice D reason: Open-angle glaucoma is typically painless and not associated with swelling. Medications target intraocular pressure, not pain or inflammation. This response is inaccurate, as it misaligns with the pathophysiology of glaucoma, which involves optic nerve damage from pressure, not inflammatory or painful symptoms.