connective tissue
A 51-year-old professional tennis instructor is newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis. What is the nurse’s best explanation to the patient when asked what this diagnosis means?
Degeneration of articular cartilage
After a knee replacement, an 87-year-old patient rejects the use of the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine, saying, “I did not march when I was a child, and I am not marching now.” What benefits of CPM should the nurse point out to encourage patient use?
Increase in flexibility for the new joint
A patient asks why systemic glucocorticoid medications are used as the last choice for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. What is the nurse’s most informative reply?
“They are used as a last choice or for short periods because they have many side effects.”
A nurse is caring for a patient immediately after total knee replacement surgery. What assessment requires priority?
Quality of pulses in the affected limb
What are the goals of therapy for patients with rheumatic arthritis? (Select all that apply.)
Decrease inflammation
Balance activity and rest
Promote adaptation to limitations
Supply patient education and support
A nurse explains to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis that the drug leflunomide (Arava) is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). What is the action of this medication?
Retards the progress of the disease
What do connective tissue diseases affect?
Bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons
A nurse, in conjunction with a patient, establishes a plan to treat the pain associated with arthritis. What is the most effective strategy?
Apply warm, moist compresses before doing activity
Inadequate nutrition is the patient problem applicable to a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis. What is the most important point for the nurse to teach this patient?
Eat smaller, more frequent meals
What actions would be best for patients with osteoarthritis to seek the assistance of physical therapy? (Select all that apply.)
Moist heat application
Instruction with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit
Measures to increase range of motion
Measures to increase strength
A nurse is caring for a patient with osteoarthritis. What is the best recommendation by the nurse to this patient to control chronic pain?
Administer analgesics as prescribed on a routine basis
Which patient is most likely to develop a connective tissue disease?
A 30-year-old woman who plays tennis
What is the best physiologic reason for a patient with osteoporosis to maintain a regular exercise regimen?
Promotes bone formation and improves strength
What instruction should a nurse include in a teaching plan for a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome?
Splinting to prevent flexion and hyperextension
To decrease osteoporosis, a nurse explains that women can benefit from ______ for 15 years after the onset of menopause
estrogen
An older patient with osteoarthritis complains of stomach discomfort and shortness of breath after years of taking aspirin for pain relief. What change in pain control medication would be most appropriate for the home health care nurse to suggest?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Which is true regarding connective tissue function?
Provides protection to body parts
A nurse is organizing a teaching plan for a patient with gout. What should the nurse caution this patient he is at an increased risk for?
Kidney stones
Two days after a total hip replacement, a patient is being discharged. Which statement indicates that the patient understands the discharge teaching?
“I will ask my husband to tie my shoes for me.”
A nurse assesses ischemic spots around the nail beds of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and recognizes that these are a complication of medical diagnosis, rheumatoid arthritis, related to ______.
vasculitis
A home health care nurse is visiting a patient after a total hip replacement. What should the nurse include when teaching the patient how to protect the new joint?
Put an extension on the toilet seat
Which characteristic should a nurse recognize as diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis?
Symmetric bilateral joint swelling
A nurse is educating a patient with gout about a low-purine diet. Which food choice by the patient would indicate the need for further teaching?
Seafood platter with scallops and mussels
What action would best benefit the patient diagnosed with bursitis of the shoulder?
Walking the fingers of the affected arm up the wall
A nurse clarifies that a postmenopausal woman who is not taking hormone replacement therapy should take ______ mg elemental calcium on a daily basis. (Use numeric characters only.)
1500