Question

When using a Snellen alphabet chart, the nurse records the client's vision as 20/40. What does this evaluation determine for the client?

a)The client's visual acuity is better than normal.
b)The client can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 40 feet.
c)The client has 40% vision impairment compared to normal vision.
d)The client's vision is within the normal range.

Answer 1

A nurse recording a client's vision as 20/40 on a Snellen chart determines that the client has worse visual acuity than normal, requiring them to be closer to see what can be seen at a greater distance by someone with normal vision.

Step-by-step explanation:

When using a Snellen alphabet chart, if a nurse records the client's vision as 20/40, it indicates that the client can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 40 feet. This means that the client needs to be closer to the chart to see what a person with normal vision can see at a greater distance. It does not mean the client has 40% vision impairment compared to normal vision, nor does it mean the client's vision is better than normal. In fact, 20/20 is considered normal visual acuity. So in this case, the client's visual acuity is worse than the normal range.