Exam 65: Nursing Management: Arthritis and Connective Tissue Diseases

A patient who has had fatigue and muscle weakness for several years is diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. The patient expresses anger at the health care professional for not offering relief of the symptoms and also anger at family members for saying "snap out of it and get busy." Based on the patient's statements, the nurse identifies a nursing diagnosis of

During assessment of the patient with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), the nurse would expect the patient to report (Select all that apply.)

A 26-year-old woman has been diagnosed with early systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involving her joints. In teaching the patient about the disease, the nurse includes the information that SLE is a(n)

A home health patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complains to the nurse about having chronically dry eyes and a dry mouth. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A patient with gout tells the nurse that he takes losartan (Cozaar) for control of the condition. The nurse will need to monitor

A patient with polyarthralgia with joint swelling and pain is being evaluated for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The nurse knows that the serum test result that is the most specific for SLE is the presence of

A 22-year-old patient hospitalized with severe pain in the knees and a fever and shaking chills is suspected of having septic arthritis. Information obtained during the nursing history that indicates a risk factor for septic arthritis is that the patient

A 71-year-old obese patient has bilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the hips. The nurse teaches the patient that the most beneficial measure to protect the joints is to

The health care provider has prescribed naproxen (Naprosyn) twice daily for a patient with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hands. The patient tells the nurse after 3 weeks of use that the drug does not seem to be effective in controlling the pain. The nurse should teach the patient that

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who has a facial rash and alopecia tells the nurse, "I hate the way I look! I never go anyplace except here to the health clinic." An appropriate nursing diagnosis for the patient is

A patient with an acute attack of gout is treated with colchicine. The nurse determines that the drug is effective upon finding

The biologic agent anakinra (Kineret) is prescribed for a patient who has moderately severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). When teaching the patient about this drug, the nurse will include information about

A patient with an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is taking prednisone (Deltasone) 40 mg daily. Which of these assessment data obtained by the nurse indicate that the patient is experiencing a side effect of the medication?

When helping a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) plan a daily routine, the nurse informs the patient that it is most helpful to start the day with

A 19-year-old patient who is taking azathioprine (Imuran) for systemic lupus erythematosus has a check-up before leaving home for college. The health care provider writes all of these orders. Which one should the nurse question?

A patient is hospitalized for onset of diffuse erythema of the upper body with periorbital edema. The health care provider suspects dermatomyositis. In planning care for the patient, the nurse anticipates that the collaborative care of the patient will involve

A patient with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) tells the nurse, "I don't know why the doctor has prescribed amitriptyline (Elavil) for me. I don't feel depressed, just tired and achy." The most appropriate response by the nurse is, "The Elavil

The home health nurse is doing a follow-up visit to a patient with recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Which assessment made by the nurse indicates that more patient teaching is needed?

A patient with an acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has localized pain and inflammation of the fingers, wrists, and feet with swelling, redness, and limited movement of the joints. When developing the plan of care, the nurse recognizes that the most appropriate patient outcome at this time is to

When screening patients at a community center, the nurse will plan to teach ways to reduce risk factors for osteoarthritis to a