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 medical record?

A) Nystagmus
B) Strabismus
C) Myopia
D) Astigmatism

Answer 1

The correct term to document involuntary, rhythmic eye movement is nystagmus. It suggests a neurological or vestibular disorder, differentiating it from conditions like strabismus, myopia, or astigmatism.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical assistant observes that a patient's eyes are moving back and forth in a constant, involuntary manner, the correct term to use in the patient medical record would be nystagmus. Nystagmus is characterized by the involuntary, rhythmic oscillation of the eyes and is distinct from conditions such as strabismus (misalignment of the eyes), myopia (nearsightedness), or astigmatism (uneven focus due to corneal irregularities). The assistant should carefully document the finding of nystagmus as it can be indicative of a variety of neurological or vestibular disorders.