What should you teach a patient about managing glaucoma?

What should you teach a patient about managing glaucoma?

• A. No straining for bowel movements, no vomiting or sneezing
• B. Engage in heavy lifting daily
• C. Avoid all fluids
• D. Take daily high‑dose vitamin C

Answer: (A)

Glaucoma management centers on keeping intraocular pressure from rising, because higher pressure can damage the optic nerve over time. The best teaching point is to avoid activities that cause a rise in eye pressure. Straining during bowel movements increases venous pressure and can raise intraocular pressure; vomiting and forceful sneezing can do the same. Teaching patients to prevent constipation with fiber, fluids, and safe stool-softening strategies helps them avoid straining, and managing nasal allergies or irritants reduces sneezing episodes. Avoiding heavy lifting and other actions that abruptly increase venous pressure is also prudent. Choices that focus on fluids, high-dose vitamin C, or heavy lifting don’t specifically prevent pressure spikes and aren’t central to glaucoma management.

Glaucoma management centers on keeping intraocular pressure from rising, because higher pressure can damage the optic nerve over time. The best teaching point is to avoid activities that cause a rise in eye pressure. Straining during bowel movements increases venous pressure and can raise intraocular pressure; vomiting and forceful sneezing can do the same. Teaching patients to prevent constipation with fiber, fluids, and safe stool-softening strategies helps them avoid straining, and managing nasal allergies or irritants reduces sneezing episodes. Avoiding heavy lifting and other actions that abruptly increase venous pressure is also prudent. Choices that focus on fluids, high-dose vitamin C, or heavy lifting don’t specifically prevent pressure spikes and aren’t central to glaucoma management.