Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

In a funduscopic exam, which feature indicates a normal finding related to the macula?

1. Sharp disc margins

2. Yellowish-orange color

3. Increased blood vessel ratio

4. Blurry margins

The correct answer is: Yellowish-orange color

The feature that indicates a normal finding related to the macula is its yellowish-orange color. The macula, located in the center of the retina, is responsible for central vision and contains a high density of cones, which are photoreceptors essential for detailed vision and color perception. The normal appearance of the macula is typically a yellowish-orange hue due to the concentration of carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which play a role in protecting the retina from harmful blue light and oxidative stress. Sharp disc margins are associated with the optic disc, indicating good retinal health but not specifically a normal finding related to the macula. An increased blood vessel ratio or blurry margins can indicate pathology, such as hypertension or other eye conditions, which detracts from the normal appearance of the macula.