Question 1

What is the main problem that comes accompanies glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

The main problem that accompanies glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. Cloudiness of the lens or cornea are not specific to glaucoma and could indicate other eye conditions, while increased intracranial pressure is not a direct problem of glaucoma.

Question 2

A parent tells you that a 4-year-old child has some clear drainage coming from the right ear. This drainage is sometimes tinged with blood. The parent asks if the ear canal should be irrigated. What is your best response?

Accepted Answer

When there is drainage present, irrigating the ear can push the infected material further into the ear canal and potentially cause further damage or infection. It is important to have the child evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine the cause of the drainage and to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Question 3

A child has been diagnosed with an infection with inflammation in the right ear canal. Which drug route would be most appropriate for treating this condition?

Accepted Answer

Since the infection is localized to the right ear canal, the most appropriate route of drug administration would be through the topical route. This would allow for direct application of the medication to the site of the infection, thereby increasing its effectiveness and reducing the risk of systemic side effects.

Question 4

Which drug group for glaucoma can worsen underlying respiratory conditions?

Accepted Answer

Beta blockers are known to worsen underlying respiratory conditions, particularly in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), by causing bronchoconstriction. Therefore, they should be used with caution in patients with these conditions.

Question 5

A patient with glaucoma reports a possible infection in the affected eye and asks if the usual dose of latanoprost (Xalatan) drops should be instilled. What is your best response?

Accepted Answer

If a patient has a possible infection in the affected eye, they should not take the usual dose of latanoprost drops until they have notified their healthcare provider. Infections can worsen with the use of certain medications, and it is important to have the eye examined and properly diagnosed before continuing any prescribed treatment.

Question 6

Which drug reduces the production of aqueous humor to the greatest degree?

Accepted Answer

Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces the production of aqueous humor to the greatest degree.

Question 7

Which class of drugs for glaucoma therapy generally is used short term to prevent or reduce increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) after eye surgery rather than for long-term IOP control?

Accepted Answer

Adrenergic agonists are often used short term after eye surgery to prevent or reduce increases in IOP. They work by decreasing aqueous humor production and increasing outflow through the trabecular meshwork. They are not commonly used for long-term IOP control due to their side effect profile.

Question 8

What safety instructions would be appropriate to give to a patient starting glaucoma treatment with carbachol (Isopto Carbachol)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What safety instructions would be appropriate to...

Question 9

You are preparing to instill otic drops into the ear canal of an adult. What is the correct technique for giving otic drugs to an adult?

Accepted Answer

The correct technique for giving otic drugs to an adult is to pull the external ear up and back. This helps straighten the ear canal, allowing the medication to flow directly into the ear canal. Pulling the ear down and back is the technique used for children under the age of 3, while pressing the pinna against the mastoid bone and pressing the upper portion of the ear until the eustachian tube is seen are not correct techniques.

Question 10

A patient who has been prescribed timolol (Timoptic) for the last month reports that his asthma is worse. What is your best first response?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient who has been prescribed timolol...

Question 11

Which drug for glaucoma is a beta blocker?

Accepted Answer

Timolol is a beta blocker drug commonly used for the treatment of glaucoma. It works by reducing the production of aqueous humor in the eye, thus lowering intraocular pressure. Travoprost is a prostaglandin analog, Apraclonidine is an alpha agonist, and Pilocarpine is a cholinergic drug. While all these drugs can be used for glaucoma treatment, Timolol is the only beta blocker option listed in the given choices.

Question 12

You are about to give apraclonidine (Iopidine) eye drops to a patient with glaucoma. What assessment should you perfume before giving this drug?

Accepted Answer

Apraclonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that can affect the cardiovascular system, potentially causing changes in pulse and blood pressure. It's important to assess these parameters before administration to ensure patient safety.

Question 13

Which term refers to constriction of the pupil of the eye?

Accepted Answer

Miosis is the constriction of the pupil of the eye, which can be caused by various stimuli such as bright light, drugs, or neurological conditions.

Question 14

Which precaution is most important to teach a patient who is prescribed any type of eye drug given as eye drops?

Accepted Answer

Applying only the number of drops prescribed is the most important precaution to teach a patient prescribed any type of eye drug given as eye drops. Overdosing can cause adverse effects and underdosing can result in ineffective treatment.

Question 15

Which drugs for glaucoma cause marked mydriasis? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which drugs for glaucoma cause marked mydriasis?...

Question 16

Which maneuver serves to lessen the possibility of systemic absorption of an ophthalmic beta-blocker?

Accepted Answer

Closing the eyes for 2 minutes after instillation of an ophthalmic beta-blocker helps to reduce the systemic absorption by limiting the drug's drainage into the nasolacrimal duct and subsequent absorption into the nasal mucosa and systemic circulation.

Question 17

You are taking the history from a patient who may be prescribed a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for the treatment of glaucoma. What information would indicate this category of drug may not be appropriate for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors contain a sulfonamide group and can cause cross-reactivity in patients with a history of sulfonamide allergy. Therefore, this drug may not be appropriate for a patient with a history of sulfa drug allergy.

Question 18

Which drug group for glaucoma has the side effect of darkening the iris color?

Accepted Answer

Prostaglandin agonists, such as latanoprost and bimatoprost, have the side effect of increasing the pigmentation of the iris, leading to darker eye color.

Quiz 18: Drugs for Ear and Eye Problems