Prepare for the NCLEX-RN® with today’s question focusing on a 65-year-old female client with 20/200 vision in both eyes. Discover the existing medical condition posing the highest risk for visual impairment and enhance your nursing knowledge. Test your skills now!
A 65-year-old female client has recently been to the ophthalmologist and reports that she has 20/200 vision in both the left and right eye. Which existing medical condition puts the client at the highest risk for visual impairment?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Peptic ulcer disease
C. Bacterial pneumonia
D. Chronic renal failure
Scroll down for the correct answer!
The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
A. Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus puts clients at risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to legal blindness. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus can lead to elevated blood glucose, which over time, can damage the vessels of the retina, leading to permanent visual impairment.
Major Takeaway
Visual acuity is based on how well a person can see and is measured using the Snellen Eye Chart. If a patient has 20/200 vision, it means they can see at 20 feet what they should be able to see at 200 feet away. At 20/200, even with glasses, they are considered legally blind. Risk factors for legal blindness include being assigned female at birth, being over 50, undergoing eye surgery or having a systemic disease, like diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus puts clients at risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to legal blindness. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus can lead to elevated blood glucose, which over time, can damage the vessels of the retina, leading to permanent visual impairment.
Incorrect answer explanations
B. Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: Peptic ulcer disease is a condition that involves ulcerations in the lining of the stomach. It is not associated with legal blindness.
C. Bacterial pneumonia
Rationale: Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Certain infections specific to the eye, like trachoma, are associated with legal blindness; however, bacterial pneumonia is not associated with legal blindness.
D. Chronic renal failure
Rationale: Chronic renal failure is a condition that involves dysfunction of the kidneys. Chronic renal failure alone is not typically associated with legal blindness.
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