Question

A nursing student is caring for a client in the health care clinic who has been diagnosed with glaucoma. The nursing instructor asks the student to describe the type of medication that will likely be prescribed for the client to treat the eye disorder. Which statement by the student indicates an accurate understanding of the treatment for glaucoma?

Answer 1

An accurate statement by the student on treating glaucoma would involve describing medications that lower intraocular pressure, such as acetazolamide or pilocarpine, which target fluid production and drainage in the eye.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing student's statement that accurately indicates an understanding of the treatment for glaucoma would be a description of medications that lower intraocular pressure. Such medications can include agents like acetazolamide, which is a diuretic that inhibits the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, reducing the formation of aqueous humor, thereby lessening intraocular pressure. Alternatively, they might describe the use of pilocarpine, a muscarinic agonist that facilitates the drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye through its action on the ciliary muscle, also reducing intraocular pressure. This understanding signifies a recognition that treating glaucoma frequently focuses on either decreasing the production of intraocular fluid or increasing its outflow to prevent damage to the optic nerve.