During the early postoperative period, the client who had a cataract extraction complains of nausea and severe eye pain over the operative site. The initial nursing action is to:
A. Call the physician.
B. Administer the ordered main medication and antiemetic.
C. Reassure the client that this is normal.
D. Turn the client on his or her operative side.
Correct Answer: A. Call the physician.
Severe pain or pain accompanied by nausea is an indicator of increased intraocular pressure and should be reported to the physician immediately. Some of the more common complications include transient elevated intraocular pressure, corneal edema, toxic anterior segment syndrome, and endophthalmitis. Even in glaucomatous eyes, after one year, all patients will have IOP control, with some even having a decreased need for medication. The other options are inappropriate.
Option B: Typically, patients are prescribed topical antibiotics, corticosteroids, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops for 1 to 4 weeks postoperatively. Patients are counseled to follow up the day after surgery, at 1 week, 1 month, and then 3 months postoperatively.
Option C: Even though cataract surgery greatly improves vision and quality of life, patients may continue to have subjective visual complaints. Commonly, they will include seeing shadows, halos, glare, starburst patterns around lights, and hazy vision.
Option D: Turning the client on his operative side will increase the intraocular pressure. Instruct the patient to watch out for the development of complications, such as sharp pain in the eye uncontrolled by analgesics, or clouding in the anterior chamber. This may indicate infection and should be reported immediately.
No comments:
Post a Comment