A patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is admitted for chemotherapy treatment. As part of the nursing management, which of the following interventions is most critical to prevent infection in this patient?

Choice A Reason:

Night blindness, or difficulty seeing in low light, is not a primary symptom of macular degeneration. This condition primarily affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Night blindness is more commonly associated with conditions like retinitis pigmentosa or vitamin A deficiency.

Choice B Reason:

Central vision loss is the hallmark of macular degeneration. This condition leads to the deterioration of the macula, causing blurred or lost central vision while peripheral vision remains intact. Patients often report difficulty reading, recognizing faces, and performing tasks that require fine visual detail3.

Choice C Reason:

Peripheral vision loss is not typically associated with macular degeneration. This condition affects the central part of the retina, leaving peripheral vision largely unaffected. Peripheral vision loss is more commonly seen in conditions like glaucoma.

Choice D Reason:

Double vision, or diplopia, is not a characteristic symptom of macular degeneration. This condition affects the clarity of central vision but does not typically cause double vision. Double vision can result from issues with the eye muscles or nerves, such as in cases of strabismus or cranial nerve palsies.

Choice A Reason:

The client’s tongue is not relevant for diagnosing cataracts. Cataracts are an eye condition characterized by clouding of the lens, which affects vision. The tongue does not provide any information related to the presence of cataracts.

Choice B Reason:

The client’s eyelid is also not relevant for diagnosing cataracts. While the eyelid can be examined for other eye-related conditions, it does not provide information about the lens’s clarity or the presence of cataracts. Cataracts specifically affect the lens inside the eye.

Choice C Reason:

The lens of the client’s eye is the correct area to examine for diagnosing cataracts. Cataracts cause the lens to become cloudy, leading to symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to light. An eye examination, including a slit-lamp exam, allows the healthcare provider to see the lens and identify any cloudiness or opacities indicative of cataracts.

Choice D Reason:

The posterior pharynx of the client’s throat is not relevant for diagnosing cataracts. This area is examined for conditions related to the throat and respiratory system, not for eye conditions. Cataracts are diagnosed through an eye examination focusing on the lens.