A nurse is caring for a client who just had cataract surgery. Which of the following comments from the client should the nurse report to the provider?

Choice A rationale Monocular vision occurs when one eye is patched, leading to a significant loss of depth perception and a narrowed visual field. This is an expected sensory deficit immediately following surgery. Patients often struggle with spatial awareness and navigation, but this is a normal post-operative occurrence. The nurse should provide safety education regarding mobility rather than reporting this as a surgical complication to the provider. Choice B rationale Severe, intense, or boring pain in the eye following cataract extraction is a primary indicator of increased intraocular pressure or intraocular hemorrhage. While mild discomfort or a scratchy sensation is common, "horrible" pain is abnormal and necessitates immediate medical intervention to prevent permanent optic nerve damage. Normal intraocular pressure ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg. Reporting this symptom is vital to identify complications like acute glaucoma or infection. Choice C rationale Itching is a frequent side effect of the healing process and the presence of sutures or surgical trauma in the ocular tissues. It often results from the release of histamines during the inflammatory phase of wound healing. The patient's statement indicates compliance with the instruction to avoid rubbing the eye, which prevents accidental injury or infection. This is an expected finding that does not require an immediate report to the physician. Choice D rationale Photophobia, or sensitivity to light, is common after cataract surgery because the new intraocular lens allows more light to reach the retina than the old, cloudy lens did. Additionally, the eye may still be dilated from preoperative medications like phenylephrine or atropine. While uncomfortable, it is a transient and expected post-operative symptom. Patients are usually advised to wear dark sunglasses to manage this discomfort until the eye adjusts.