A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for brimonidine to treat open-angle glaucoma.Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A rationaleContact lenses should be removed before administering eye drops to avoid absorption of the medication into the lens, which can cause irritation and decrease effectiveness.Choice B rationaleBrimonidine may cause ocular irritation upon instillation due to its vasoconstrictive properties, which reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production. Normal intraocular pressure is 12-22 mmHg.Choice C rationaleBrimonidine is a chronic therapy for open-angle glaucoma, requiring long-term use to maintain intraocular pressure within normal range and prevent optic nerve damage.Choice D rationaleBrimonidine does not typically cause iris pigmentation changes. Prostaglandin analogs, like latanoprost, may alter eye color by increasing melanin content in iris stromal melanocytes.