eNursing Care Plan 20-1
Patient After Eye Surgery
Nursing Diagnosis*
Anxiety related to uncertainty of treatment outcome and threat of increased vision loss as
evidenced by patient’s statements expressing anxiety and grief regarding threat of worsening
vision
Patient Goals
1. Verbalizes minimal anxiety
2. Increased ability to compensate for impaired vision
Outcomes (NOC)
Vision Compensation Behavior
Monitors symptoms of vision
deterioration ___
Positions self to enhance vision ___
Uses adequate lighting for activity
being performed ___
Uses vision assistive devices ___
Anxiety Self-Control
Seeks information to reduce anxiety
___
Uses effective coping strategies ___
Maintains role performance ___
Controls anxiety response ___
Measurement Scale
1 = Never demonstrated
2 = Rarely demonstrated
3 = Sometimes demonstrated
4 = Often demonstrated
5 = Consistently demonstrated
Interventions (NIC) and Rationales
Communication Enhancement: Visual Deficit
Identify self when entering the patient’s space to
avoid startling or embarrassing the patient.
Monitor implications of diminished vision (e.g., risk
of injury, depression, anxiety) to plan appropriate
interventions.
Ensure that patient’s corrective lenses have current
prescription, are clean, and stored properly when not
in use to keep eyewear safe and accessible to
maximize visual acuity and independence.
Minimize glare (i.e., offer sunglasses or draw shades)
to promote visual acuity.
Provide adequate room lighting to promote visual
acuity.
Anxiety Reduction
Provide factual information concerning diagnosis,
treatment, and prognosis to enable patient to make
informed decisions.
Encourage verbalization of feelings, perceptions, and
fears to provide support and identify coping
strategies.
Assist patient to articulate a realistic description of
expected progress to increase the patient’s coping
skills.
Nursing Diagnosis
Risk for injury related to impaired vision secondary to surgical treatment

Patient Goal
Maximizes visual reception and acuity
Outcomes (NOC)
Risk Control: Visual Impairment
Monitors symptoms of vision
deterioration ___
Monitors environment for eye hazards
___
Uses adequate lighting for activity ___
Uses devices to protect eyes ___
Fall Prevention Behavior
Eliminates clutter, spills, glare from
floor ___
Removes rugs ___
Provides adequate lighting ___
Uses vision-correcting devices ___
Measurement Scale
1 = Never demonstrated
2 = Rarely demonstrated
3 = Sometimes demonstrated
4 = Often demonstrated
5 = Consistently demonstrated
Interventions (NIC) and Rationales
Communication Enhancement: Visual Deficit
Monitor functional implications of diminished
vision (e.g., risk of injury and ability to perform
ADLs) to plan appropriate interventions.
Describe environment to patient to reduce
possibility of injuries caused by altered vision.
Avoid rearranging items in patient’s environment
without notifying patient to facilitate patient’s
independence.
Fall Prevention
Provide adequate lighting for increased visibility.
Assist family in identifying hazards in the home
and modifying them.
Avoid clutter on floor surface to prevent tripping.
Instruct patient to wear prescription glasses when
out of bed to enhance vision.

Nursing Diagnosis
Risk for infection related to disruption of normal body host defenses resulting from surgery

Patient Goal
Experiences no signs or symptoms of infection
Outcomes (NOC) Interventions (NIC) and Rationales
 Infection Severity Infection Control
Purulent drainage ___ Instruct patient on appropriate handwashing
Fever ___ techniques to prevent bacterial contamination of
Pain/tenderness ___ the eye.
Malaise ___ Administer antibiotic therapy as appropriate.
Chilling ___
Wound site culture colonization ___ Eye Care
White blood cell count elevation ___ Monitor for redness, exudate, or ulceration to
promote early recognition and treatment of
Measurement Scale infection.
1 = Severe Apply lubricating eyedrops to prevent
2 = Substantial contamination.
3 = Moderate
4 = Mild Apply eye shield to prevent injury and possible
5 = None contamination of eye.
Instruct patient not to touch eye to prevent
contamination.

Nursing Diagnosis
Deficient knowledge related to lack of information and experience regarding eye surgery as
evidenced by questions regarding postoperative care and expectations

Patient Goals
1. Explains the care of the eye required during the immediate postoperative period
2. Demonstrates skill in applying eyedrops and avoiding activity that increases intraocular
pressure
Outcomes (NOC) Interventions (NIC) and Rationales
Knowledge: Prescribed Activity
Prescribed activity ___
Prescribed activity restrictions ___ knowledge of prescribed exercise to establish baseline
Prescribed activity precautions ___
Strategies to gradually increase
prescribed activity ___
Knowledge: Treatment Regimen
Self-care responsibilities for
ongoing treatment ___
Self-care responsibilities for
emergency situations ___
Expected effects of treatment ___
Prescribed medication regimen
___
Prescribed exercise ___
Prescribed procedure ___
Measurement Scale
1 = No knowledge
2 = Limited knowledge
3 = Moderate knowledge
4 = Substantial knowledge
5 = Extensive knowledge
Teaching: Prescribed Exercise
Appraise the patient’s current level of exercise and
activity.
Inform the patient which activities are appropriate
based on physical condition.
Medication Administration: Eye
Determine the patient’s knowledge of medication and
understanding of method of administration to plan
teaching.
Teach and monitor self-administration technique to
promote self-care.
Teaching: Prescribed Medication
Instruct the patient on the proper application of each
medication to promote adequate self-care.
Evaluate the patient’s ability to self-administer
medications to identify further teaching needs.
Instruct the patient how to relieve and/or prevent certain
side effects.
Provide the patient with written information about the
action, purpose, and side effects of prescribed
medications to use for future reference.