The nurse is teaching a client with newly diagnosed glaucoma about the condition. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
“I should avoid activities that increase eye pressure, like heavy lifting.”
“Glaucoma can lead to vision loss if not managed properly.”
“Eye drops will cure my glaucoma and restore my vision.”
“Regular eye exams are important to monitor my condition.”
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Avoiding heavy lifting is correct, as it increases intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma, damaging the optic nerve. This statement shows understanding, as limiting activities that elevate IOP protects retinal ganglion cells, reducing progression risk, aligning with proper glaucoma management strategies.
Choice B reason: Glaucoma can cause vision loss if untreated, as elevated IOP damages optic nerve fibers, leading to irreversible blindness. This statement reflects accurate understanding of the disease’s progressive nature, emphasizing the need for management to preserve vision, requiring no further teaching.
Choice C reason: Eye drops (e.g., timolol) reduce IOP but do not cure glaucoma or restore vision, as optic nerve damage is irreversible. This statement indicates misunderstanding, as glaucoma is chronic, requiring lifelong management to slow progression, necessitating further teaching to correct this misconception.
Choice D reason: Regular eye exams monitor IOP and optic nerve health in glaucoma, preventing progression. This statement shows understanding, as consistent follow-up detects changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, ensuring timely adjustments in therapy, aligning with effective disease management.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: A red blood cell count of 3.5 x 10⁶/µL indicates anemia from myelosuppression, reducing oxygen transport. RBCs do not fight infection, so this does not support “risk for infection.” Low WBCs impair immune defense, increasing infection susceptibility, making WBC count more relevant to the nursing problem in this context.
Choice B reason: A WBC count of 1,500/mm³ indicates severe leukopenia from myelosuppression, reducing neutrophil production. This impairs immune response, significantly raising infection risk, as pathogens overwhelm the body’s defenses. This lab value directly supports “risk for infection,” necessitating precautions like isolation or antibiotics to prevent opportunistic infections.
Choice C reason: Hematocrit of 33% reflects anemia in myelosuppression, lowering oxygen delivery. This causes fatigue but does not increase infection risk, as RBCs are not immune cells. WBCs, particularly neutrophils, are critical for infection defense, making low WBC count more relevant to the nursing problem than hematocrit.
Choice D reason: Hemoglobin of 10 g/dL indicates anemia, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity in myelosuppression. This does not directly increase infection risk, as hemoglobin is not involved in immunity. Low WBCs compromise pathogen defense, making WBC count the key value supporting “risk for infection” in this client’s care plan.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Persistent pain after Herpes zoster suggests postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a neuropathic condition from varicella-zoster virus damaging sensory nerves. Assessing pain intensity, location, and characteristics guides treatment with analgesics or anticonvulsants like gabapentin. This step differentiates PHN from other causes, ensuring targeted therapy to alleviate nerve pain and improve quality of life.
Choice B reason: Checking shingles vaccination status is irrelevant for current pain, as the client already had Herpes zoster. Vaccination prevents initial infection but does not treat PHN, which results from nerve damage during active infection. Pain assessment is critical to address neuropathic symptoms caused by viral-induced sensory nerve dysfunction, making this less urgent.
Choice C reason: A mental status exam evaluates cognition but is not indicated for PHN, a physiological condition from nerve damage, not a cognitive issue. Pain is neuropathic, driven by damaged sensory neurons, not psychological factors. Assessing pain directly addresses the client’s complaint, guiding treatment for nerve-related discomfort, making this action inappropriate.
Choice D reason: Teaching about phantom pain is incorrect, as phantom pain occurs post-amputation, not after shingles. PHN involves persistent nerve pain in the affected dermatome due to viral nerve damage. Misdiagnosing this could delay proper management, as pain assessment is needed to confirm PHN and initiate therapies like gabapentin, not phantom pain education.
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