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Difficulty: MediumBasic Care and Comfort

A practical nurse is reinforcing discharge instructions for a client who underwent a left cataract extraction earlier in the day. Which instruction regarding resting positions should the nurse provide to promote comfort and prevent complications?

  1. Sleep on your back with your head elevated or on your right side.Answer
  2. B
    Lie flat on your back without a pillow to maintain cervical alignment.
  3. C
    Sleep on your left side to encourage fluid drainage from the operative eye.
  4. D
    Rest in a prone position for short intervals to reduce back strain.

Answer

The client should sleep on their back with their head elevated, or on their unoperated (right) side.
Following a cataract extraction, it is critical to prevent any increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). Resting in a semi-Fowler's position (with the head elevated) utilizes gravity to promote fluid drainage away from the head, effectively lowering IOP. Sleeping on the unoperated (right) side prevents direct mechanical pressure from being applied to the surgical eye.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the surgical procedure and the affected side.
The client had a left cataract extraction.
Determining the operative side is necessary to protect the surgical site from physical pressure.
2
Determine the primary physiological goals for post-operative eye care.
The goals are to prevent increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and avoid direct trauma to the eye.
Elevated IOP or physical pressure can disrupt the surgical incision and compromise healing.
3
Select the resting position that best achieves these physiological goals.
Elevating the head of the bed and resting on the unoperated (right) side.
Gravity aids in lowering IOP when the head is elevated, and the right side-lying position keeps all physical pressure off the left eye.

Key Concept

Post-operative positioning to prevent increased intraocular pressure
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Topics

Basic Care and Comfort

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