Author Question: What is the most important precaution for the nurse to teach an older patient who is prescribed a ... (Read 53 times)

clmills979 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

What is the most important precaution for the nurse to teach an older patient who is prescribed a glaucoma drug that causes miosis?

a. Wear sunglasses until the drug wears off.
b. Use at least a 30 SPF sunscreen when going outdoors.
c. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until the drug wears off.
d. Increase the light indoors because vision will be decreased in low-light envi-ronments.

Question 2

A patient who has been prescribed echothiophate (Phospholine Iodide) for the last 2 weeks reports all of the following symptoms or conditions. Which symptom or condition does the nurse report to the prescriber immediately?

a. Excessive drooling
b. Pinpoint pupils
c. Cold hands
d. Dry mouth

Ddddd · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
Miosis is a decrease in pupil size, which lets in less light and reduces visual acuity. Older adults already have a smaller pupil size as a result of the aging process. This problem combined with the drug increases the risk for falls and other injuries. Increasing environmental lighting improves vision and reduces the risk for injury.

Answer to Question 2

A
Echothiophate is a cholinergic drug. A sign of cholinergic toxicity is excessive drooling. If this occurs, other problems, especially slow heart rate, are about to occur also. The patient needs to receive anticholinergic drugs immediately to counteract this toxicity.