Question 1

Which statement about joints in older adults is true?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

An older female adult seeks advice from the nurse about preventing further bone loss after being diagnosed with osteopenia. To achieve the woman's goal, which teaching should the nurse provide to enhance the activity of osteoblasts?

Accepted Answer

Exercise with weights stimulates osteoblast activity and helps to prevent further bone loss. Limiting sodium intake and refraining from alcohol use can help to maintain bone density, but do not actively enhance osteoblast activity. Eating high-fibre foods is important for overall health, but does not specifically target osteoblast activity.

Question 3

An osteoporosis-related fall necessitated hip-replacement surgery for an older female adult who is entering a rehabilitation facility. Which of the following goals is the nurse's priority during this woman's rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

The priority goal of rehabilitation for this patient is to recapture her preoperative mobility status. This will not only improve her quality of life but also decrease her risk of future falls and subsequent injuries. While maintaining wound hygiene and encouraging a healthy diet are important aspects of care, they are not the primary priority in this situation. The instruction to take two steps into the walker is too specific and may not be appropriate for this patient's individual abilities and needs.

Question 4

The nurse prepares an older male adult who has osteoarthritis (OA) for discharge. Which instruction does the nurse include in patient teaching to maintain safety for this man?

Accepted Answer

Osteoarthritis can lead to joint instability, so it is important for the patient to report any instability to the healthcare provider. Choice A is incorrect because the nurse does not recommend specific medication. Choice B is incorrect because rest may help with pain relief, but it does not slow disease progression. Choice D is incorrect because gentle stretching and exercise can actually help improve joint mobility and flexibility in patients with osteoarthritis.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about osteoporosis is true?

Accepted Answer

A high risk of death follows an osteoporosis-related hip fracture. This is because hip fractures can cause immobility and other health complications in older adults, leading to a higher risk of mortality. The other statements are incorrect. Osteoporosis is not always indicative of an underlying health problem, long bones are not the most common site for osteoporosis fractures, and women who are of Caucasian or Asian descent have a higher risk for osteoporosis.

Question 6

Which one of the following is a suitable nursing intervention for an older adult who has gout?

Accepted Answer

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, which can lead to severe pain and inflammation. A diet low in purines, such as avoiding organ meats, shellfish, and alcohol, can help reduce the amount of uric acid in the body and decrease the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Vitamin D, liquid paraffin hand baths, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are not typically used to treat gout. Aspirin can actually worsen gout symptoms by increasing uric acid levels in the body.

Question 7

An older female adult with osteoarthritis is seen by the nurse. She has a low-grade fever, and she tells the nurse that her pain is changing: it is worse at night and in her shoulder muscles. What should the nurse do to determine if the older adult is now experiencing polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) rather than an exacerbation of her osteoarthritis?

Accepted Answer

The change in pain pattern, low-grade fever, and age of the patient make PMR a possibility. PMR often presents with shoulder and hip pain in older adults and can also be accompanied by a low-grade fever and temporal or scalp pain. Assessing joints for swelling and redness may be more characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. Obtaining blood specimens for blood cultures may be appropriate if there is suspicion of infection but not for diagnosing PMR. Applying moist heat may provide some relief for pain but will not aid in determining if the patient is experiencing PMR.

Question 8

Which statement about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is true?

Accepted Answer

Glucosamine can be helpful for patients in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, typically in the first two years of symptoms. RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple joints, often in a symmetrical pattern, and can cause systemic symptoms such as fatigue and fever. RA has periods of remission and exacerbation, and treatment typically involves a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.

Question 9

Which of the following assessments is typical for an older adult with osteoarthritis (OA)?

Accepted Answer

Narrow joint spaces with crepitus are typical findings in older adults with OA, indicating degeneration of joint cartilage and bone changes. Symmetrical joint involvement and excess synovial fluid are characteristic of inflammatory arthritis, which is less common in older adults. Morning stiffness for at least an hour is a symptom seen in both OA and inflammatory arthritis.

Question 10

An older male adult who has hyperuricemia complains of severe pain in the right ankle. Which instruction should the nurse include in patient teaching to enhance the action of medication the patient takes for his condition?

Accepted Answer

Game meat, asparagus, and alcohol are all high in purine, which can increase uric acid levels in the body and exacerbate symptoms of hyperuricemia. Avoiding these foods and drinks can help enhance the effectiveness of medication in managing symptoms. Additionally, drinking plenty of water can also be helpful in flushing out excess uric acid, but it is not the best choice out of the given options. Aspirin is not recommended for pain management in individuals with hyperuricemia, as it can actually worsen symptoms. Complying with antihypertensive diuretic regimen is important for overall health and managing related conditions, but it may not directly enhance medication action for hyperuricemia.

Question 11

Which of the following is a healthy practice recommended for a person at risk for osteoporosis?

Accepted Answer

Option A includes calcium and vitamin D-rich foods which are recommended for a person at risk for osteoporosis. Option B is not a healthy practice recommended for osteoporosis as long-term estrogen administration has its own health risks. Option C does not have enough calcium-rich food and option D includes high-sodium and unhealthy food choices.

Question 12

Which of the following represents characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that are unlike osteoarthritis (OA)?

Accepted Answer

Unlike OA, RA is a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other organs and tissues outside of the joints. RA also tends to be symmetrical, meaning it affects the same joints on both sides of the body. While RA can involve joint pain, it is not curable and can lead to deformity and disability if left untreated. Myalgia and stiffness can also be seen in both RA and OA, while crepitus and instability can be seen in both conditions as well.

Question 13

After living with osteoporosis for two years, an older female adult's bone density scan shows no improvement. Which intervention should the nurse implement to reduce bone loss for this older adult?

Accepted Answer

The answer of After living with osteoporosis for two years,...

Quiz 18: Bone and Joint Health