Question

A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a physical examination when he notices that the patient's eyes are moving back and forth in a constant, involuntary manner. Which of the following terms should the assistant use when documenting this finding in the patient's medical record?

1) Strabismus
2) Nystagmus
3) Diplopia
4) Ptosis

Answer 1

The term the medical assistant should use when documenting the patient's involuntary eye movements is (2). nystagmus.

Step-by-step explanation:

When documenting the finding of a patient's eyes moving back and forth in a constant, involuntary manner, the medical assistant should use the term nystagmus. This terminology accurately describes the condition where the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements.

These can occur side to side, up and down, or in a circular pattern and can affect vision and balance. While strabismus refers to a misalignment of the eyes, diplopia means double vision, and ptosis indicates a drooping of the upper eyelid, nystagmus is the specific term for the involuntary eye movement observed by the doctor during testing eye movements.