A client's vision is assessed at 20/200. the client asks what that means. which is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

The patient is blind. Now, 20/20 vision is a term used to describe normal visual acuity or clarity, if you will. It doesn't mean perfect vision. Visual acuity or clarity is measured by one's ability to identify letters or numbers from a specific viewing distance with one eye closed while viewing from a chart or plate. The patient is usually at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, it means you can see what an average individual can see on an eye chart when they are standing 20 feet away. If you have 20/80 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 80 feet. Similarly, the patient has 20/200; it means the patient must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 200 feet. This is akin to blindness.