Question

A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to a client following right eye cataract surgery. The nurse determines that the client needs further instruction about ways to avoid strain on the operative eye when he makes which of the following statements?

"I can lie on my right side."
"I will wear my protective eye shield at night."
"I will avoid bending over at the waist."
"I can read a book for an extended period."

Answer 1

The client needs further instruction if they believe they can 'read a book for an extended period' after cataract surgery, as it can strain the operated eye. Wearing a protective eye shield at night and avoiding bending over at the waist are correct practices post-surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client who has undergone right eye cataract surgery would need further instruction if they believe they can read a book for an extended period following the operation. This activity could strain the operated eye. Other discharge instructions, such as lying on the right side, wearing a protective eye shield at night, and avoiding bending over at the waist are all appropriate precautions to minimize the risk of complications or additional strain on the eye after cataract surgery.

After cataract surgery, especially when an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted for the correction of distance vision, patients may still require reading glasses for near tasks unless a multifocal IOL is used. The power of the intraocular lens for someone who was nearsighted before the surgery would generally be less than the power of their natural lens because the IOL is correcting for the focus of distant objects, essentially compensating for the myopia that was previously present.