While completing a physical assessment on a patient, a nurse shines a light into the patient's right eye and notes pupillary constriction in the left eye. The nurse charts this response as
Explanation
• A consensual pupil response is a crossed reflex in which light directed at one eye causes contraction of the pupil in both eyes.
• Under normal conditions, both eyes respond identically to the light stimulus regardless of which eye is stimulated. Comparing the two responses can help locate a lesion in the nerve pathways.
• Incorrect: A direct reaction occurs when the illuminated pupil constricts.
• Incorrect: Accommodation and pupillary convergence occur when the patient stares at an object 3–4 feet away, then the object is moved toward the patient's nose. Pupils should constrict as the object moves toward the patient's nose. Pupil responses are uniform.