Question

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

a) "POAG often causes sudden, severe eye pain."
b) "POAG is caused by increased intraocular pressure."
c) "POAG is more common in individuals with low eye pressure."
d) "POAG typically presents with peripheral vision loss."

Answer 1

POAG typically presents with peripheral vision loss. It is associated with a gradual increase in intraocular pressure within the eye and is not characterized by sudden, severe eye pain, which is more indicative of acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Among the options provided, the correct information to include in the teaching is:

d) "POAG typically presents with peripheral vision loss."

Primary open-angle glaucoma, or POAG, is a condition where there is a gradual increase in the intraocular pressure within the eye, which can eventually lead to peripheral vision loss. It is often asymptomatic until significant vision loss has occurred.

While it's true that glaucoma is associated with increased intraocular pressure, the statement that POAG often causes sudden, severe eye pain is incorrect; this description is more characteristic of acute angle-closure glaucoma. Additionally, POAG is not more common in individuals with low eye pressure; rather, it is associated with higher intraocular pressure, often without noticeable symptoms in the early stages.