Question 1

The nurse clarifies that a connective tissue disease is one that affects:

Accepted Answer

Connective tissue diseases affect bones,ligaments,cartilage and tendons.

Question 2

For the osteoporotic patient taking alendronate (Fosamax),the nurse would stress that the drug requires that the patient:

Accepted Answer

After taking the drug Fosamax with 8 ounces of fluid,the patient should sit or stand for 30 minutes so that the drug will be evenly distributed.The drug is taken on an empty stomach.

Question 3

The nurse recommends that to control chronic pain for the patient with osteoarthritis,the patient should:

Accepted Answer

The routine administration of prescribed analgesic medications is the most appropriate treatment for chronic pain.

Question 4

The nurse recognizes a characteristic that is diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis,which is:

Accepted Answer

Symmetric bilateral joint swelling is a classic symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 5

The home health care nurse suggests to the patient who has had a total hip replacement that to protect the new joint,the patient should:

Accepted Answer

Placing an extender on the toilet seat will assist in the objective of not flexing the hip more than 90 degrees.Crossing the legs adducts the hip,which is contraindicated.

Question 6

The nurse recognizes that the patient who is most likely to develop a connective tissue disease is a:

Accepted Answer

Women have a greater chance than men of developing connective tissue disease.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Applying heat before exercise loosens the joints and decreases pain.

Question 8

After knee replacement,the 87-year-old patient rejects the use of the continuous passive motion machine (CPM)saying,"I did not march when I was a child,and I am not marching now." The nurse points out that one of the CPM's benefits is a(n):

Accepted Answer

The CPM's major benefit is to increase flexibility,although it does cause discomfort.No strength-building potential is present with passive motion.

Question 9

The nurse explains to a 51-year-old professional tennis instructor who is diagnosed with osteoarthritis that the disease is best understood as the:

Accepted Answer

Degeneration of articular cartilage is one of the pathophysiologic changes of arthritis.

Question 10

When the patient asks why systemic glucocorticoids medications are used as the last choice for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,the nurse's most informative reply would be:

Accepted Answer

Glucocorticoids are used as a last choice because they have many side effects.

Question 11

The nurse would recognize that further nutritional teaching about a low-purine diet would be necessary when the patient with gout chooses:

Accepted Answer

Seafood,such as scallops and mussels,are high in purine.

Question 12

The nurse explains that connective tissue function:

Accepted Answer

Providing protection is a function of connective tissue.

Question 13

The older patient with osteoarthritis complains of stomach discomfort and shortness of breath after years of taking aspirin for pain relief.The home health care nurse suggests that she change her pain control method to:

Accepted Answer

The use of NSAIDs is less irritating than aspirin or glucocorticoids.Mild exercise is good but not for pain relief.

Question 14

The nurse points out that the best physiologic reason for a patient with osteoporosis to maintain a regular exercise regimen is because exercise:

Accepted Answer

Regular exercise promotes bone formation,which is important for patients with osteoporosis for physiologic reasons.

Question 15

The nurse includes in the teaching plan for a patient with gout the need to be alert for the signs of:

Accepted Answer

The threat of kidney stones is a life-long problem for the patient with gout.Tophi are symptomatic of the disease but are not a complication.Facial lesions and visual disturbances are noncontributory.

Question 16

In collecting a health history from the patient with a connective tissue disease,the nurse will be certain to inquire about the:

Accepted Answer

Previous injuries may be relevant to a patient's current problem.

Question 17

For the patient with Behçet syndrome,the nurse would choose the nursing diagnosis of:

Accepted Answer

Pain from the genital ulcers interferes with sexual expression.

Question 18

A patient with osteoarthritis in both knees and shoulders states that she cannot manage her household tasks without pain.The most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient is:

Accepted Answer

The patient's concern is not so much the pain but her difficulty in accomplishing household tasks.

Question 19

Immediately after surgery,the nurse caring for the patient who had a total knee replacement makes careful documentation on the patient's:

Accepted Answer

Assessments related to postoperative circulatory efficiency are priority assessments.

Question 20

The nurse explains to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis that the drug,leflunomide (Arava)is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD),which will:

Accepted Answer

Arava is DMARD and slows the progression of the disease.

Quiz 41: Connective Tissue Disorders