Glaucoma
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Eye / Earhigh priorityneeds review
Glaucoma
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Impaired aqueous humor drainage increases intraocular pressure.
- Pressure damages the optic nerve and can cause permanent vision loss.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Cholinergics | Selected drops can improve outflow. |
| Beta blockers | Ophthalmic agents may reduce aqueous production. |
Signs / symptoms
- Halos around lights, severe eye pain, nausea in acute angle closure.
- Do not rub after surgery.
Nursing actions
- Teach correct eye drop technique and punctal pressure when instructed.
- Report severe eye pain, halos, nausea, or sudden vision change.
- Avoid medications that can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma unless cleared.
Complications
- Permanent vision loss
NCLEX cues
- Halos around lights, severe eye pain, nausea in acute angle closure.
- Do not rub after surgery.
Memory hooks
- Glaucoma pressure pushes on the optic nerve.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Source entitycondition card
Glaucoma
Condition card for Glaucoma: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Med classmedication safety
Beta blockers
Blocks beta stimulation so heart rate, contractility, and blood pressure can decrease.
Med classmedication safety
Cholinergics
Turns on parasympathetic activity, so secretions and smooth muscle activity increase while heart rate may slow.