A public health nurse is teaching a health promotion class to a group of older adults at a seniors' center. A woman attending states that, "My husband has got dry macular degeneration, and I don't know what we're going to do when he goes blind from it." How can the nurse best respond to the woman's statement?
A) "Vitamins C and E as well as zinc and beta carotene may have some value in slowing the progression of his disease."
B) "You should talk to your doctor about the surgical options that might help preserve his sight."
C) "If your husband can lower his blood pressure and bad cholesterol, it can possibly slow the progression of his disease."
D) "Cataract surgery is showing promise as a way of replacing the part of the eye associated with macular degeneration."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vitamin E, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), zinc, and beta carotene have shown promise at slowing the progression of the age-related macular degeneration in persons with the disease. Surgical options are not normally available for the dry variety of macular degeneration. Blood pressure control, cholesterol control, and cataract surgery are unlikely to be directly useful.

A Public Health Nurse Is Teaching a Health Promotion Class