Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is a normal finding in the eyes of a 78-year-old client with clinical depression?

1. Redness of the conjunctiva

2. Rigidity of irises

3. Excessive tearing

4. Blurred vision

The correct answer is: Rigidity of irises

In the context of a 78-year-old client with clinical depression, the presence of rigidity of the irises can be understood as a normal age-related change rather than a symptom of the depression. As people age, anatomical changes in the eyes can occur, and some individuals may experience a reduced ability of the iris to respond to light, which could be described as rigidity. This rigidity does not directly correlate with the psychological state of the client but rather reflects typical physiological changes that occur as a person ages. In older adults, the muscle control of the pupil may become less responsive, resulting in less dynamic reaction to different lighting conditions. The other options, such as redness of the conjunctiva, excessive tearing, and blurred vision, could be indicative of underlying health issues or conditions that might be exacerbated by clinical depression or the overall health status of the patient. For instance, excessive tearing could suggest dry eye syndrome, which is common in elderly populations, and blurred vision may indicate cataracts or other refractive issues, neither of which are typical findings attributed solely to aging without other complications.