Deck 18: Anti-inflammatory, Musculoskeletal, and Anti-arthritis Medications

Question 1

When a patient is on aspirin therapy,the nurse should instruct the patient to watch for and report to the physician which of the following symptoms?

A) Increase in appetite
B) Edema in bilateral feet
C) Burning on urination
D) Blood in stools

Answer 1

Blood in stools

Question 2

A patient comes to the clinic complaining of ringing in her ears.In assessing this patient,the nurse finds out she is taking aspirin 4 times a day,and that sometimes she takes an extra dose to relieve her arthritis pain.The nurse suspects which of the following?

A) This is a normal finding with an extra dose of medication.
B) This is an adverse reaction to the medication.
C) There is nothing to worry about.
D) This is what aspirin is supposed to do.

Answer 2

This is an adverse reaction to the medication.

Question 3

Older adult patients on NSAIDs should be monitored for which of the following?

A) Incidence of peptic ulcers
B) Decreased urine
C) Blood in urine
D) Night fevers

Answer 3

Incidence of peptic ulcers

Question 4

A clinic patient was started on leflunomide.The nurse expects this medication will have which of the following effects?

A) It will decrease joint movement at first.
B) It will cause the patient to feel flushed.
C) It will reduce symptoms and slow joint damage.
D) It will increase fluid in the joints.

Question 5

A patient tells the nurse she regularly forgets to take her antiinflammatory medication.Which of the following is the nurse's best response to the patient?

A) "Medication levels need to be maintained."
B) "Take a dose when you remember."
C) "Double up on doses."
D) "Stop taking the medication."

Question 6

With allopurinol therapy,continued gouty attacks can occur during the initial treatment phase.Which of the following other medications can be used to prevent these attacks?

A) ASAID
B) Celebrex
C) Colchicine
D) Zanaflex

Question 7

A patient competed recently in a marathon.After running 16 miles,he had to drop out because of severe muscle spasms.The doctor might suggest which of the following types of medication?

A) Salicylates
B) NSAIDs
C) Muscle relaxants
D) Uricosurics

Question 8

A patient comes into the clinic complaining of swelling,heat,and severe pain in the right great toe.The laboratory values are likely to show elevated serum levels of which of the following?

A) Calcium
B) Potassium
C) Uric acid
D) Glucose

Question 9

Allopurinol is not used in the treatment of an acute attack of gout for which of the following reasons?

A) It has no analgesic properties.
B) It cannot work alone.
C) It will not reduce uric acid levels.
D) It causes edema in the feet.

Question 10

An overweight 53-year-old patient complains of severe pain in his right big toe.He has never had any problem like this before.Aspiration of the joint reveals uric acid crystals.The doctor will probably order which of the following medications?

A) Salicylates
B) NSAIDs
C) Allopurinol
D) Colchicine

Question 11

A patient was seen in the emergency department following an auto accident.He is being discharged on a muscle relaxant and antiinflammatory medications.Which of the following is the most important discharge instruction the nurse should give this patient?

A) Take medications on time.
B) Keep medications in dark bottles.
C) Get plenty of rest and sleep.
D) Avoid driving and using machinery.

Question 12

A 67-year-old patient who weighs 285 pounds comes to the doctor's office with a history of progressive onset of pain in her knees and hips.The doctor may tell her which of the following about her treatment?

A) Nothing can be done for her because of her weight.
B) She should take two aspirins and call him in the morning.
C) She should take two aspirins four to six times per day.
D) The pain can be resolved by diet and exercise.

Question 13

A patient recently fell while she was out jogging and has severely sprained her left ankle.When discussing how much medication she should take to reduce her symptoms,the nurse should tell her which of the following?

A) High doses of NSAIDs may be necessary to get the antiinflammatory response.
B) She should take the medications only when needed to avoid developing drug dependency.
C) Oral forms of NSAIDs are not very helpful,and she should have the injectable forms for good response.
D) NSAIDs should be taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption.

Question 14

The nurse tells a mother not to give her 10-year-old son aspirin (ASA)for his fever.This information is important which of the following reasons?

A) ASA has a bad taste for children.
B) Salicylate products are not recommended for children because they have been linked to Reye syndrome.
C) Children cannot swallow ASA.
D) ASA is too strong for children and may lead to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Question 15

A patient comes into the doctor's office complaining of lower back pain.He has reported feeling tightness in his lower back area following a vigorous game of basketball in which he was knocked to the floor.He takes no other medications and has no chronic disease.His health is excellent.X-rays are negative.The doctor will probably order which of the following medications?

A) A muscle relaxant
B) A salicylate or an NSAID
C) Penicillamine
D) Probenecid

Question 16

A patient has been taking aspirin on a regular basis for general aches and pains.She is a nervous,emaciated,46-year-old,unmarried alcoholic.She is now at the clinic feeling weak and dizzy.She reports increasingly severe abdominal pain that developed approximately 7 days ago.The nurse suspects which of the following about her diagnosis?

A) The patient may have cirrhosis of the liver made worse by the aspirin.
B) The alcoholic condition may have reduced the patient's resistance,and she has now developed tuberculosis.
C) The patient may have appendicitis made worse with alcohol.
D) The patient may have GI bleeding because of the aspirin and alcohol.

Question 17

A patient is diagnosed with osteoarthritis.The nurse would expect the patient to be started on which of the following medications?

A) NSAIDs
B) Salicylates
C) Acetaminophen
D) Mucomyst

Question 18

A gout patient's creatinine clearance is less than 80 mL/min.The nurse expects this patient to be started on which of the following medications?

A) ASAID
B) Allopurinol
C) ASA
D) Salicylates

Question 19

With the higher doses of salicylates that are given for arthritis,The nurse would expect the physician to do which of the following?

A) Decrease the medication.
B) Stop the medication after 1 month.
C) Do serum levels for the medication.
D) Get urine levels for the medication.

Question 20

Patients who are started on NSAIDs or salicylates for musculoskeletal pain may be prescribed which of the following other medications for spastic discomfort?

A) Soma (carisoprodol)
B) Acetaminophen
C) Celebrex (celecoxib)
D) Tolectin (tolmetin)

Question 21

In caring for a patient who is taking antiinflammatory drugs,the nurse should include which of the following patient teaching points? (Select all that apply. )

A) Check stools for blood.
B) Medications should be taken as ordered.
C) Medications should be discontinued once improvement is experienced.
D) Improvement takes 1 to 2 weeks.

Question 22

Antiinflammatory analgesics should be used with caution by patients with which of the following conditions? (Select all that apply. )

A) Liver disease
B) Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
C) Headaches
D) Weight loss

Question 23

A patient is taking hydroxychloroquine sulfate.The physician will have the patient checked frequently for which of the following conditions?

A) Foot drop
B) Skin rash
C) Hearing loss
D) Retinopathy

Question 24

Methotrexate is used in the treatment of which of the following conditions?

A) Severe back pain
B) Chronic gout pain
C) Osteoarthritis
D) Rheumatoid arthritis

Question 25

Which of the following is the most common complication when taking NSAIDs?

A) GI upset
B) Constipation
C) Fluid overload
D) Headaches

Question 26

A patient has been on muscle relaxants for a few months.The physician is discontinuing this medication.Which of the following schedules should be used when stopping this medication?

A) Stop the medication after the last dose.
B) Gradually reduce the medication.
C) Refill the medication one more time.
D) Increase the dose one time,then stop taking the medication.

Question 27

A patient taking antiinflammatory drugs tells the nurse he has been missing some of his doses of medication.Which of the following guidelines for missed medications should be taught? (Select all that apply. )

A) Skip all missed medication dosages.
B) If possible,take the missed dose within an hour of the scheduled time.
C) If the missed dose is close to next administration time,take the regular dose and skip the missed dose.
D) Never take a double dose of this medication.