A nurse is assessing the eyes of a patient and notes the pupils are unequal in size. Which term is appropriate to document?

A) Rosenbaum test: The Rosenbaum test is used to assess near vision and is typically performed with a handheld card to check for presbyopia, which is the difficulty seeing up close. It is not appropriate for testing peripheral vision, which is the focus of the current assessment.

B) Consensual constriction: Consensual constriction refers to the reaction of the pupil in the opposite eye when light is shined into one eye. This test assesses the pupillary light reflex, which evaluates how well the pupils constrict in response to light. It is not used to assess peripheral vision and focuses more on the function of the optic nerve and pupil reaction.

C) Corneal Light Reflex: The corneal light reflex is a test used to assess for strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) by checking the symmetry of the light reflection on the cornea. This test helps in diagnosing eye alignment issues, but it does not evaluate peripheral vision.

D) Confrontation test: The confrontation test is a straightforward and effective method used to assess peripheral vision. The nurse and patient sit facing each other, and the patient covers one eye while the nurse tests the other eye’s visual fields by moving their fingers in from the periphery. This test evaluates the patient's ability to detect objects in their peripheral vision and is specifically designed for this purpose.

A) Pterygium: A pterygium is a benign growth of tissue on the conjunctiva that can extend onto the cornea. It typically appears as a fleshy, triangular-shaped tissue that can cause irritation or vision problems if it grows large enough. However, it does not involve protrusion of the eyeballs and is unrelated to the condition described in the question.

B) Ptosis: Ptosis refers to the drooping or sagging of the upper eyelid, often due to weakness of the eyelid muscles or nerve damage. It can impair vision by obstructing the visual field, but it does not describe protrusion of the eyeballs, as indicated in the question. Ptosis involves the eyelids, not the position of the eyeball itself.

C) Exophthalmos: Exophthalmos is the term for the abnormal protrusion or bulging of both eyeballs. It is most commonly associated with thyroid eye disease, particularly in conditions such as Graves' disease. The eyes appear to bulge outward due to inflammation or swelling of the tissues behind the eyes. This condition can affect vision and cause discomfort, and it is the correct term for the abnormality described in the question.

D) Ectropion: Ectropion is a condition in which the lower eyelid turns outward, exposing the inner surface of the eyelid. This can lead to irritation, dryness, and potential damage to the cornea. Ectropion does not involve protrusion of the eyeballs, and it is unrelated to the condition described in the question.