Medical Surgical Nursing Practice Exam

Horner's syndrome is characterized by a specific triad of symptoms resulting from disruption of sympathetic pathways to the eye. One of the hallmark features is miosis, which is the constriction of the pupil. In Horner's syndrome, the affected pupil is smaller in size compared to the unaffected side due to the loss of sympathetic innervation that normally helps maintain pupil dilation.

The presence of miosis can be significant in diagnosing various conditions, including lesions affecting the sympathetic pathways. Treatment and management depend on identifying the underlying cause of Horner's syndrome, which can range from a neck injury to a tumor. Understanding miosis in this context is essential for nurses and healthcare professionals when assessing a patient's neurological status.