Question

A nurse is teaching a client who is experiencing homonymous hemianopsia after a brain attack (stroke) about measures to overcome the deficit. The nurse tells the client to:

a) Scan the environment from side to side
b) Turn the head quickly to expand the visual field
c) Focus on the affected visual field to improve perception
d) Use an eye patch on the unaffected eye to strengthen the affected eye

Answer 1

To overcome homonymous hemianopsia after a stroke, the nurse advises scanning the environment from side to side to compensate for the loss of peripheral vision.

Step-by-step explanation:

When experiencing homonymous hemianopsia after a stroke, there are measures that can be taken to help overcome the deficit. The nurse advises the client to scan the environment from side to side to help compensate for the loss of peripheral vision. This allows the client to be more aware of objects in their environment. Turning the head quickly may actually increase the risk of falls, so it is not recommended. Focusing on the affected visual field alone may not improve overall perception. Lastly, using an eye patch on the unaffected eye will not strengthen the affected eye.