A patient who is a single parent of two young children has recently lost vision in one eye following a car accident. Which problems that are common to people with sudden blindness should the nurse address as being high priority with this patient?

Question

1. grieving
2. change in family functioning
3. possible change in self-esteem
4. potential for injury
5. fear of future trauma

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3
Although adaptation may be easier for the patient who experiences a gradual loss of vision than for someone with an abrupt loss, both must grieve the lost sense. The patient who becomes blind needs to grieve the lost body function as well as the loss of mobility, self-sufficiency, perhaps economic security, and, to a certain extent, contact with reality as it has been perceived. Interpersonal relationships and roles are affected. Communication patterns change with the loss of the ability to perceive many nonverbal cues. The patient's self-concept and self-esteem are threatened. Anger, denial, remorse, and self-pity are not uncommon in the initial period following loss of sight. The patient still has some sight. The potential for injury is not of a high priority at this time. There is no evidence that the patient will have a fear of future traumatic events.