Author Question: Which client should the nurse advise to seek medical help because of an increased risk of developing ... (Read 174 times)

storky111 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Which client should the nurse advise to seek medical help because of an increased risk of developing glaucoma?

1. A client with cirrhosis experiencing ascites
2. A client who is recovering from a heart attack
3. An individual who has a severe eye injury sustained in a fight at a bar
4. A woman in the third trimester of pregnancy

Question 2

The nurse should encourage a client being treated with corticosteroids for an autoimmune disease to have frequent examinations by an ophthalmologist because corticosteroids increase the risk of:

1. muscle weakness secondary to hypokalemia.
2. glaucoma.
3. sodium and water retention.
4. bone fractures.

emsimon14 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: A client with cirrhosis is not at an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
Rationale 2: A client is not at increased risk of developing glaucoma following a heart attack.
Rationale 3: Trauma to the eye is a cause of secondary glaucoma.
Rationale 4: Pregnancy does not increase the risk of developing glaucoma. Pregnant clients actually can experience decreased intraocular pressure.
Global Rationale: Trauma to the eye is a cause of secondary glaucoma. Pregnancy does not increase the risk of developing glaucoma. Pregnant clients actually can experience decreased intraocular pressure. Heart attack and cirrhosis do not increase risk for glaucoma.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Taking corticosteroids does result in potassium loss, but this would not explain the need to see an ophthalmologist.
Rationale 2: The client who takes corticosteroids, especially high doses long term, is at increased risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma and should be seen regularly by an ophthalmologist.
Rationale 3: Corticosteroids do increase sodium and water retention, but that would not explain the need to see an ophthalmologist.
Rationale 4: Corticosteroids do increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, but this is not a reason to see an ophthalmologist.
Global Rationale: The client who takes corticosteroids, especially high doses long term, is at increased risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma and should be seen regularly by an ophthalmologist. Taking corticosteroids does result in potassium loss, sodium and water retention and increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, but this would not explain the need to see an ophthalmologist.