Which of the following advice given by nurse to a postoperative patient of extracapsular cataract extraction and lens implantation is inappropriate?

1. A

   Use the eye patch for 24 hours

2. B

   Use aspirin for pain

3. C

   Minimize activity for 24 hours

4. D

   Wear sunglasses

Appeared in: GMCH Nursing Officer-2025

Explanation

• The advice to use aspirin for pain is inappropriate and dangerous after eye surgery.
• Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that inhibits blood clotting, significantly increasing the risk of postoperative bleeding (hemorrhage) within the eye.
• A post-surgical ocular hemorrhage is a serious complication that can lead to increased intraocular pressure and permanent vision loss.
• The standard recommendation for mild postoperative pain is a non-aspirin analgesic, such as acetaminophen (paracetamol).

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This is appropriate advice. An eye patch protects the newly operated eye from accidental trauma, rubbing, or pressure, especially during the first 24 hours when the eye is most vulnerable.
• Option C: This is appropriate advice. Minimizing strenuous activity, bending, and lifting helps prevent a sudden increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which could disrupt the incision and healing process.
• Option D: This is appropriate advice. Post-cataract surgery, patients often experience significant light sensitivity (photophobia). Wearing sunglasses protects the eye from discomfort caused by bright indoor lights and outdoor sunlight.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Infographic - A 'Do's and Don'ts After Cataract Surgery' chart. This would visually list key instructions, highlighting 'Do not take aspirin' under the 'Don'ts' section.
• Visual 2: Diagram - An illustration showing how to properly apply an eye patch and shield, reinforcing the protective aspect of postoperative care.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Postoperative patient education following cataract surgery to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
• Patient education is a critical nursing responsibility to prevent postoperative complications and ensure a successful surgical outcome. Incorrect advice can lead to severe, vision-threatening consequences.
• Nurses must specifically assess for and advise against the use of any medications that increase bleeding risk, including aspirin, NSAIDs, and other anticoagulants, unless cleared by the surgeon.
• What if? If the patient reports severe, throbbing eye pain not relieved by acetaminophen, the nurse must instruct them to contact the ophthalmologist immediately. This is not normal postoperative pain and could indicate a serious complication like acute glaucoma, infection (endophthalmitis), or hemorrhage.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the keywords in the question: 'inappropriate advice' for a 'postoperative cataract' patient. This means you are looking for the one instruction that is harmful or incorrect.
• Evaluate each option against the primary goals of postoperative eye care: preventing infection, managing pain safely, preventing injury, and avoiding increased intraocular pressure (IOP).
• Consider Option A (eye patch): This protects the eye. This is a safe and standard practice.
• Consider Option B (aspirin): This is a pain reliever but also a blood thinner. Eye surgery involves incisions, making bleeding a major risk. This option introduces a significant danger.
• Consider Option C (minimize activity): Strenuous activity increases IOP. Avoiding it is a safe and standard practice.
• Consider Option D (sunglasses): The eye is light-sensitive after surgery. This provides comfort and protection. This is a safe and standard practice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Postoperative patient education following cataract surgery.
• Stem keywords: postoperative patient, extracapsular cataract extraction, lens implantation, inappropriate advice
• Lead-in keywords: inappropriate
• Negative lead-in flag: Question asks for the INAPPROPRIATE advice.

Question ID

QctmG6tmvzXN3Bl-O0jL8z

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