Cataract, glaucoma, and hearing loss patient care priorities and post-procedure teaching points.
29 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is a cataract?
- Clouding (opacity) of the eye's lens that causes blurred vision.
- What is the most common cause of cataracts?
- Aging (age-related lens changes).
- How does vision loss typically progress with cataracts?
- Painless and gradual, with progressively blurred vision.
- What visual symptom is common with cataracts when looking at lights?
- Glare and halos around lights.
- Why is an eye shield worn after cataract surgery?
- To protect the eye from accidental injury or rubbing, especially during sleep.
- What activities should a patient avoid after cataract surgery to prevent increased intraocular pressure?
- Bending at the waist, heavy lifting, and straining.
- Which post-cataract-surgery symptoms should be reported immediately to the surgeon?
- Sudden eye pain, flashes of light, or increased redness or discharge.
- What type of eye drops are typically prescribed after cataract surgery?
- Antibiotic and corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory) eye drops.
- How should a patient position themselves for sleep after cataract surgery?
- Avoid sleeping on the side of the operative eye.
- Before cataract surgery, what should the nurse teach the patient about coughing or straining?
- Avoid coughing, sneezing, or straining, which can increase intraocular pressure.
- What is glaucoma?
- A group of eye disorders causing increased intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve.
- What is the classic vision change in open-angle glaucoma?
- Gradual loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision).
- What are signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma?
- Sudden severe eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea, and vomiting.
- Why is open-angle glaucoma called the 'silent thief of sight'?
- It is usually asymptomatic until significant, irreversible vision loss has occurred.
- What is the first-line drug class for treating open-angle glaucoma?
- Prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost).