Osteoarthritis
The term for bony overgrowths at the distal interphalangeal joints commonly found in osteoarthritis?
What are Heberden’s nodes?
These joints are typically affected first in RA.
What are the small joints of the hands and feet?
This joint is most commonly affected during an initial gout attack.
What is the big toe (metatarsophalangeal joint)?
This is the hallmark skin manifestation of early Lyme disease.
What is erythema migrans (bull’s-eye rash)?
This is a key clinical feature of septic arthritis compared to other arthritic conditions.
What is sudden, severe joint pain and swelling with fever?
This symptom typically worsens with joint use and improves with rest in osteoarthritis.
What is joint pain?
This is a classic early morning symptom that lasts more than 60 minutes in RA.
What is morning stiffness?
This physical finding is characterized by deposits of urate crystals in joints or soft tissues.
What are tophi?
This system is often affected if Lyme disease progresses untreated.
What is the nervous system (e.g., facial palsy, meningitis)?
This test is critical to identify the causative organism in septic arthritis.
What is synovial fluid aspiration and culture?
This imaging test is most commonly used to detect joint space narrowing in osteoarthritis.
What is an X-ray?
This blood test detects an autoantibody present in approximately 80% of RA cases.
What is rheumatoid factor (RF)?
This is the definitive test for diagnosing gout.
What is synovial fluid aspiration showing monosodium urate crystals?
This is a two-step blood test process is used to diagnose Lyme disease.
What are EIA (enzyme immunoassay) followed by Western blot?
This symptom often accompanies the joint swelling in septic arthritis.
What is decreased range of motion?
This class of medications is commonly used for pain control in OA and has fewer side effects than NSAIDs.
What are acetaminophen or topical analgesics?
This drug class is considered the first-line treatment for disease control in RA, and the most common prescription is for this medication.
What are DMARDs and what is methotrexate?
This medication is used to reduce uric acid production in chronic gout.
What is allopurinol?
The antibiotic of choice in early-stage Lyme disease.
What is doxycycline?
This is the mainstay treatment for septic arthritis.
What are IV antibiotics?
Name one nursing recommendation to help patients reduce joint stress in OA.
What is using assistive devices or maintaining a healthy weight?
Provide one nursing goal related to mobility for a patient with active RA.
What is maintaining joint function and range of motion?
This is the dietary advice should the nurse provide to a patient with gout?
What is to avoid purine-rich foods (e.g., red meat, alcohol, shellfish)?
The most important topic of teaching that should be provided to a patient to prevent Lyme disease.
What is to wear protective clothing and use insect repellent when in wooded areas?
This nursing priority is essential during the acute phase of septic arthritis?
What is joint immobilization and monitoring for systemic infection?