Question 1

Diagnostic procedures are being performed on a female patient who may have systemic lupus erythematosus SLE). Which findings would the nurse evaluate as supporting this diagnosis? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Elevated LE prep is a laboratory test used to detect the presence of antinuclear antibodies, which are commonly found in patients with SLE. Hematuria is a common symptom of SLE resulting from inflammation and damage to the kidneys. A negative anti-SM antibody test does not rule out SLE, as only approximately 30% of patients with SLE have this antibody. A C3 complement protein of 94 mg/dL is within the normal range and does not necessarily support a diagnosis of SLE. Sodium level of 138 is within normal range and is not indicative of SLE.

Question 2

A patient is experiencing symptoms typical of gout in the right foot. The nurse would prepare the patient for which diagnostic examinations? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Joint aspiration can confirm the presence of urate crystals in the joint fluid, which is a definitive diagnosis of gout. Serum uric acid level is a blood test that can determine if the patient has elevated levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor and can support the diagnosis of gout. X-ray of the affected foot can show evidence of joint damage caused by chronic gout, including erosion and tophi (deposits of urate crystals). MRI and CT are not typically necessary for the diagnosis of gout unless there is suspicion of an alternative diagnosis or complications such as infection or trauma.

Question 3

The nurse is discussing the symptomology of osteoarthritis OA) with a patient. The nurse would describe which common initial symptom of the disease?

Accepted Answer

The common initial symptom of osteoarthritis (OA) is painful stiffness in the joints, most commonly in the fingers. This stiffness may occur after periods of inactivity and can improve with movement. The other options are not associated with the initial symptomology of OA.

Question 4

A patient diagnosed with gout is concerned that the small "lumps" on his ear and big toe will become lodged in his blood, resulting in a blood clot. Which explanation by the nurse is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The small "lumps" on the ear and big toe associated with gout are called tophi and do not cause blood clots. While gout may increase the risk of developing blood clots, management of the gout with appropriate medications can reduce this risk. The patient may still want to discuss any concerns with their physician during their next visit.

Question 5

A patient diagnosed with scleroderma reports heartburn. Which instructions would the nurse provide for treatment of this symptom? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient diagnosed with scleroderma reports heartburn....

Question 6

The nurse has completed a health assessment, physical examination, and interview with a patient. Which assessment data would support a diagnosis of reactive arthritis? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse has completed a health assessment,...

Question 7

A butterfly rash on the face is characteristic of which inflammatory connective tissue disease?

Accepted Answer

A butterfly rash on the face is a well-known symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is an inflammatory connective tissue disease. Rheumatoid arthritis may present with a rash, but it is not typically a butterfly rash and is not a characteristic feature of the disease.

Question 8

A patient diagnosed with gouty arthritis is prescribed the drug colchicine to reduce symptoms. Which medication education should the nurse provide?

Accepted Answer

One common side effect of colchicine is gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and/or diarrhea. It is important for the nurse to educate the patient on this so that they are aware of the possible adverse effects and can report them to the prescribing provider if they occur. Options A and B are not relevant to the medication, and option C is not an accurate statement as colchicine is used to both reduce pain and inflammation.

Question 9

A patient has been admitted for treatment of early-stage Lyme disease. The nurse would assess for which findings usually associated with this stage of the illness? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient has been admitted for treatment...

Question 10

The nurse is providing dietary education for a patient recently diagnosed with a form of arthritis. The patient is encouraged to avoid alcohol, organ meats, and dried peas, beans, and peanuts. These recommendations are appropriate for patients with which specific diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

The recommendations to avoid alcohol, organ meats, and dried peas, beans, and peanuts are appropriate for patients with gouty arthritis. Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when there is an accumulation of uric acid crystals in joint spaces, which can lead to painful inflammation. Alcohol, organ meats, and foods high in purines (such as dried peas, beans, and peanuts) can increase the level of uric acid in the body, exacerbating symptoms of gout.

Question 11

The nurse is preparing a flyer on rheumatoid arthritis RA) for distribution during a community health fair. Which information should the nurse include? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects any joint, not just weight-bearing ones, so choice A is incorrect. While rheumatoid arthritis is a common form of arthritis, it is not the most common, so choice C is incorrect. Onset of rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins between the ages of 30 and 50, so choice B is correct. Women are two to three times more likely to be affected by rheumatoid arthritis than men, so choice D is correct. There is a strong genetic component to rheumatoid arthritis, so choice E is correct.

Question 12

Impaired physical mobility is a major nursing diagnosis for patients with osteoarthritis OA). Which intervention would be most effective in addressing this patient's limitation?

Accepted Answer

Assessing the patient's range of motion of affected joints will help the nurse plan and implement appropriate interventions, such as range-of-motion exercises, physical therapy, or assistive devices, to improve physical mobility in patients with OA. Encouraging the patient to assume responsibility for personal self-care needs and consistently high activity levels may be beneficial, but assessing the patient's range of motion is the most effective intervention to address impaired physical mobility. Assessing and managing the patient's need for analgesics is important in managing pain but does not directly address impaired physical mobility.

Question 13

The nurse is preparing for a community education session on autoimmune disorders. The nurse should review information about which diseases? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune disorders and relevant to the education session. Gouty arthritis and reactive arthritis are not typically considered autoimmune disorders.

Question 14

A patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis RA) is reluctant to start some recommended therapies. The nurse tells the patient that early intervention is crucial for long-term health. What rationales would the nurse provide for this statement? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis RA)...

Question 15

A patient is newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis. List the nursing diagnoses for this patient in the order of their priority. Standard Text: Click and drag the options below to move them up or down.
Choice

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis....

Question 16

A patient is receiving a series of diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis OA). The nurse would interpret which results as supporting the diagnosis of OA? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is receiving a series of...

Question 17

The patient has experienced an exacerbation of gout resulting in foot pain. Which nursing intervention would aid in promoting comfort?

Accepted Answer

Elevating the extremity can help decrease swelling and pain in gout, as it improves the circulation and decreases inflammation. Providing passive range-of-motion exercises may worsen the pain, and wrapping the extremity may cause discomfort and impede circulation. Encouraging liberal fluid intake is important to manage gout, but it may not provide immediate comfort to the patient's foot pain.

Question 18

The nurse is preparing discharge medication instructions for a patient who has been prescribed allopurinol Aloprim). Which information should the nurse include? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A. Adverse reactions to allopurinol include skin rash, diarrhea, nausea, and headache.
B. Prothrombin time monitoring is not necessary for patients taking allopurinol.
C. Allopurinol can cause kidney damage, and increasing fluid intake can help prevent this.
D. Allopurinol should be taken after meals to reduce stomach upset.
E. The instruction about calorie-dense foods is not relevant to allopurinol instructions.

Question 19

The patient presents with contracture deformities of the hand and complains of severe pain. What musculoskeletal disorder does this patient manifest?

Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints, causing inflammation and pain. It can cause deformities, including contracture deformities, in the hands and other joints. Pain is a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can cause pain, but it typically does not cause contracture deformities. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weakened bones that are more susceptible to fractures, but it does not typically cause contracture deformities or severe pain. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and can cause stiffness and pain, but it does not typically cause contracture deformities in the hands.

Question 20

A patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis reports mobility impairment as a result of hip and knee joint stiffness. Which intervention should the nurse include in an education session to address this problem? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient with a history of rheumatoid...

Quiz 51: Caring for the Patient With Arthritis and Connective Tissue Disorders

A patient is experiencing symptoms typical of gout in the right foot. The nurse would prepare the patient for which diagnostic examinations? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply.

The nurse is discussing the symptomology of osteoarthritis OA) with a patient. The nurse would describe which common initial symptom of the disease?

A patient diagnosed with gout is concerned that the small "lumps" on his ear and big toe will become lodged in his blood, resulting in a blood clot. Which explanation by the nurse is most accurate?

A patient diagnosed with scleroderma reports heartburn. Which instructions would the nurse provide for treatment of this symptom? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply.

The nurse has completed a health assessment, physical examination, and interview with a patient. Which assessment data would support a diagnosis of reactive arthritis? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A butterfly rash on the face is characteristic of which inflammatory connective tissue disease?

A patient diagnosed with gouty arthritis is prescribed the drug colchicine to reduce symptoms. Which medication education should the nurse provide?

A patient has been admitted for treatment of early-stage Lyme disease. The nurse would assess for which findings usually associated with this stage of the illness? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply.

The nurse is providing dietary education for a patient recently diagnosed with a form of arthritis. The patient is encouraged to avoid alcohol, organ meats, and dried peas, beans, and peanuts. These recommendations are appropriate for patients with which specific diagnosis?

The nurse is preparing a flyer on rheumatoid arthritis RA) for distribution during a community health fair. Which information should the nurse include? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Impaired physical mobility is a major nursing diagnosis for patients with osteoarthritis OA) . Which intervention would be most effective in addressing this patient's limitation?

The nurse is preparing for a community education session on autoimmune disorders. The nurse should review information about which diseases? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A patient is newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis. List the nursing diagnoses for this patient in the order of their priority. Standard Text: Click and drag the options below to move them up or down. Choice

The patient has experienced an exacerbation of gout resulting in foot pain. Which nursing intervention would aid in promoting comfort?

The nurse is preparing discharge medication instructions for a patient who has been prescribed allopurinol Aloprim) . Which information should the nurse include? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply.

The patient presents with contracture deformities of the hand and complains of severe pain. What musculoskeletal disorder does this patient manifest?