question

A 51 year old professional tennis instructor is newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis. What is the nurses best explanation to the patient when asked what this diagnosis means?

answer

Degeneration of articular cartilage

question

A nurse explains to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis that the drug leflunomide (Arava) is a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). What is the action of this medication?

answer

Retards the progress of the disease

question

A patient with osteoarthritis in both knees and shoulders states that she cant manage her household tasks without pain. Which is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient?

answer

Ineffective coping, related to pain

question

A nurse is caring for a patient with osteoarthritis. What is the best recommendation by the nurse to this patient ot control chronic pain?

answer

Administer analgesics as prescribed on a routine basis

question

An older patient with osteoarthritis complains of stomach discomfort and shortness of breath after years of taking aspirin for pain relief. What change in pain control medication would be most appropriate for the home health care nurse to suggest?

answer

Mild exercise

question

A home health care nurse is visiting a patient after a total hip replacement. What should the nurse include when teaching the patient how to protect the new joint?

answer

Put an extension on the toilet seat

question

After a knee replacement, an 87 year old patient rejects the use of the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine, saying, "I did not march when I was a child, and I am not marching now." What benefits of CPM should the nurse point out to encourage patient use?

answer

Increase in flexibility for the new joint

question

What do connective tissue diseases affect?

answer

Bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons

question

Which patient is most likely to develop a connective tissue disease?

answer

A 40 year old male computer analyst

question

Which is true regarding connective tissue function?

answer

Provides protection to the body parts

question

A nurse is collecting a health history from a patient with a connective tissue disease. What is the most important inquiry by the nurse?

answer

History of a prior injury to a specific body part

question

Which characteristic should a nurse recognize as diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis?

answer

Symmetric bilateral joint swelling

question

A nurse is educating an osteoporotic patient taken alendronate (Fosamax). Which instruction should the nurse stress?

answer

Sit or stand for 30 minutes after administration

question

A patient asks why systemic glucocorticoid medications are used as the last choice for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. What is the nurses most informative reply?

answer

They are used as a last choice or for short periods because they have many side effects

question

A nurse, in conjunction with a patient, establishes a plan to treat the pain associated with arthritis. What is the most effective strategy?

answer

Apply warm, moist compresses before doing activity

question

What is the best physiologic reason for a patient with osteoporosis to maintain a regular exercise regimen?

answer

Promotes bone formation and improves strength

question

A nurse is organizing a teaching plan for a patient with gout. What should the nurse caution this patient he is at an increased risk for?

answer

Kidney stones

question

A nurse is educating a patient with gout about a low purine diet. Which food choice by the patient would indicate the need for further teaching?

answer

Seafood platter with scallops and mussels

question

Which diagnosis is most appropriate for the nurse to select for a patient with Behcet syndrome?

answer

Sexual dysfunction, related to pain in genital area

question

A nurse is caring a patient immediately after total knee replacement surgery. What assessment requires priority?

answer

Quality of pulses in the affected limb

question

Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements is the nursing diagnosis applicable to a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis. What is the most important point for the nurse to teach this patient?

answer

Eat smaller, more frequent meals

question

Which diagnostic test result should the nurse expect for a patient with polymyositis?

answer

Muscle biopsy positive for muscle degeneration

question

What instruction should a nurse include in a teaching plan for a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome?

answer

Splinting to prevent flexion and hyperextension

question

Two days after a total hip replacement, a patient is being discharged. Which statement indicates that the patient understands the discharge teaching?

answer

I will ask my husband to tie my shoes for me

question

What action would best benefit the patient diagnosed with bursitis of the shoulder?

answer

Walking the fingers of the affected arm up the wall

question

A nurse is educating a patient with gout about the medication probenecid (Benemid). What active effect should the nurse relay when explaining why this medication is prescribed?

answer

Increases excretion of uric acid

question

To decrease osteoporosis, a nurse explains that women can benefit from what for 15 years after the onset of menopause?

answer

Estrogen

question

A nurse assesses ischemic spots around the nail beds of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and recognizes that these are a complication of medical diagnosis, rheumatoid arthritis, related to what?

answer

Vasculitis

question

A nurse clarifies that a postmenopausal women who is not taking hormone replacement therapy should take what mg elemental calcium on a daily basis?

answer

1200 mg

question

A nurse questions an older patient about he age related changes she has experienced in her connective tissue, which have lessened her mobility. What do these changes most commonly include? Select all that apply

answer

Loss of bone, which may cause fragile bones, Thickening of the tendons, causing loss of strength, Bondy deposits in the joints, causing pain and altered movement, hardening of cartilage, causing more friction in joints

question

What are the goals of therapy for patients with rheumatic arthritis? Select all that apply

answer

Decrease inflammation, balance activity and rest, promote adaptation

question

What actions would not be best for patient with osteoarthritis to seek the assistance of physical therapy?

answer

Isotonic excercises

question

What signs of progressive systemic sclerosis does the anonym CREST not represent?

answer

Rash

Med Surg Ch 43 – Flashcards

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