The nurse inspects a client’s pupil size and determines that it’s 2 mm in the left eye and 3 mm in the right eye. Unequal pupils are known as:
A. Anisocoria
B. Ataxia
C. Cataract
D. Diplopia
Correct Answer: A. Anisocoria
Unequal pupils are called anisocoria. Anisocoria, or unequal pupil sizes, is a common condition. The varied causes have implications ranging from life-threatening to completely benign, and a clinically guided history and examination is the first step in establishing a diagnosis.
Option B: Ataxia is uncoordinated actions of involuntary muscle use. Ataxia is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. Many symptoms of Ataxia mimic those of being drunk, such as slurred speech, stumbling, falling, and incoordination. These symptoms are caused by damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordinating movement.
Option C: A cataract is an opacity of the eye’s lens. A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night) or see the expression on a friend’s face.
Option D: Diplopia is double vision. Diplopia is the perception of 2 images of a single object. Diplopia may be monocular or binocular. Monocular diplopia is present when only one eye is open. Binocular diplopia disappears when either eye is closed.